Site Policies

This site is an official Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) ancillary website operated for authorized use only and provided as a public service.  This policy describes the TWDB’s privacy and security practices regarding information collected from visitors to the site, including what information is collected and how that information is used.  Regardless of the information being transmitted to the TWDB, we will protect all such information consistent with applicable law.  The privacy of our customers and the security of this site are of utmost importance to the TWDB.

Privacy Policy

The TWDB analyzes server logs for statistical purposes only and makes no attempt to personally identify website visitors.  The TWDB does not collect any personally identifiable information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses, unless you choose to provide such information.  Statistics such as time, date, or pages requested are used for accessing the information of most interest to users and identifying system performance or problem areas.  This information is also gathered for anonymous File Transfer Protocol (ftp), remote account login, or for other comparable connections.  Information which may be collected at this site through questionnaires, feedback forms, or other means, enables the TWDB to determine a visitor’s interests, with the goal of providing better customer service.

All information collected, including server log information and information submitted on electronic forms, is subject to disclosure to others upon request according to the requirements of the Public Information Act (codified at Texas Government Code, Section 552.011, Vernon’s 2000) and the State Government Privacy Policies Act (codified at Texas Government Code, Section 559, Vernon’s 2001).  Information collected by electronic mail and by web forms may be subject to the Public Information Act; however, email addresses of those who correspond with the TWDB are confidential and may not be disclosed unless the sender agrees to such.  Exceptions to confidentiality may be reviewed at Texas Government code, Section 552.137.

By sending the TWDB an electronic mail message or submitting a web-based form, you may be sending the agency personally-identifying information, such as name and address.  In these cases, the TWDB may retain the information as long as necessary to respond to your request or otherwise resolve the subject matter of your e-mail.  The TWDB may redirect your message to another government agency or person who is in a better position to answer your question as necessary.  Please be aware that e-mails and web-based forms are not necessarily secure from third party interception or misdirection.  For your own protection you may wish to communicate sensitive information using another method.

Review of Personal Information

An individual who submits information in electronic format through this website is entitled, on request, to receive and review the information that the TWDB collects about the individual, and to have TWDB correct the information.  To make a request, please contact the following person:

Public Information Officer
Telephone: (512) 463-8165
Info Desk: (512) 463-7847
E-mail: publicinfo@twdb.texas.gov

Security

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, the TWDB employs monitors and filters to identify and block unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage to the information on this website.  Unauthorized access, modification or destruction of this site are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Texas Penal Code Chapters 33 (Computer Crimes) or 33A (Telecommunications Crimes).

Website Link Policy

This website provides links to other websites, both public and private, for informational purposes. This policy does not apply whenever visitors leave Water Data for Texas Web site and follow a link to another site, including the sites of other state agencies and local governments.  Links to other Web sites from this site are provided solely as a courtesy.  The TWDB has no control over the posting of material to such Web sites and cannot take responsibility for the validity of the content.  The TWDB endeavors to follow the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy, which addresses linking to and from state agency Web sites.  TWDB encourages organizations that link to this website to comply with the provisions of the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy, especially regarding protection of the privacy rights of individuals, and to make reasonable efforts to provide accessible sites.

Cookies

A cookie is a small text file that resides on the user’s hard drive, created at the request of the web server to track specific information.  The Water Data for Texas Web site will use cookies to create session information to facilitate your use of the site.  The information contained in these cookies is randomly created information and contain no personally identifiable information, so your anonymity is preserved.  These cookies are not stored or tracked after the session ends.

Copyright Policy

The TWDB freely grants permission to copy and distribute its materials.  The agency would appreciate acknowledgment.

Accessibility Policy

Policy Intention

The intention of this policy is to state clear accessibility principles that all Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) websites must follow.

The TWDB strives to ensure all of its websites comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) when possible without causing undue burden to the agency. Due to current technology constraints, there are some instances where the TWDB is unable to provide information in an accessible format (e.g. mapping information). The TWDB will be monitoring these sections and will develop accessible solutions as technology improves. In order to ensure no user is disadvantaged, the TWDB will respond to all accessibility assistance requests by either altering the necessary content as soon as possible or, if requested, by providing the information in an alternative format at no cost to the user within a reasonable timeframe. It is the responsibility of the content owner to provide these alternative formats. The TWDB websites will provide appropriate channels of communication that allow visitors to request alternative formats and to give feedback about any accessibility problems.

Policy Dimensions

For the purpose of this policy, the term "websites" includes:

  • All websites (public and non-authenticated) managed and maintained by the TWDB staff or on the behalf of the TWDB, including, all external websites using the .twdb.texas.gov domain, agency ancillary sites, and social media sites.
  • All material associated with pages on the website such as documents, audio, video and any other additional files except for maps.

To Get Information in a Different Format:

If you use assistive technology and the format of any material on our website interferes with your ability to access information, please send an e-mail to the TWDB Accessibility Coordinator.

When you contact us, please be sure to tell us each of these points:

  • the nature of your accessibility problem
  • the format in which you prefer to receive the material
  • the web address of the requested material
  • how we can contact you

With this information, we will be able to respond in the most helpful way possible.