State and local leaders must work together to create an environment that encourages the Texas economy to grow and thrive.
Access to reliable sources of abundant clean water plays a key role in determining the future success of Texas’ economy and the health of our citizens.
There are water management strategies exist in the 16 water planning regions in the state.
Texas’ water resources are diverse and ever changing, since they are based upon climatic and demographic fluctuations.
The Texas’ population is growing at nearly twice the national rate and it is estimated that by 2060 there will be more than 46 million people living in
Texas, and the state will need ample water supplies to serve them. According to the Texas Water Development Board demand for water will increase 27
percent by 2060 and if demand is not met it could cost businesses and workers in the state approximately $9.1 billion per year by 2010 and $98.4 billion
per year by 2060.
Total statewide demand for water in Texas is projected to grow 27 percent,in 2060. From 2010 through 2060, water supplies from existing sources are
expected to decrease by 18 percent.
Estimates exist that groundwater provides 59 percent of all available fresh water in the state, with surface water providing the nearly 40 percent, and
the remaining 1 percent coming from both ground water and surface water reuse projects. Unfortunately, both water sources are decreasing – the
former due to pumping in excess of recharge, and the latter primarily because of sediment accumulation in reservoirs.
Although, demand for water will not increase as rapidly as population growth, largely due to decreases in irrigation. Demand growth for water will come
from the municipal sector. Especially sensitive areas are the Brownsville/Wesleco area because of anticipated population growth couple with its already
short supply. A reservoir is planned in the area. Another area is the Coastal Bend. Aquatic life and industry depend on the flow of fresh water into the
gulf for aquatic life to exist and industry to operate.
Each water district has its own unique problems and solutions from the Flat Lands of the panhandle to the Valley on the Rio Grande.
In general the continued monitoring of sedimentation happening in existing reservoirs has to continue as the rate sediment filling the reservoirs will out
pace any conservation strategies in the future. Also, there must be new construction of dams and reservoirs.
In 2007, the 80th Legislature enacted Senate Bill 3. Among its provisions, the bill designated 19 sites identified in the State Water Plan as having
unique value for the construction of a dam and reservoir, a designation that will expire in 2015 unless an affirmative vote for a project is made by the
project sponsor, such as the governing body of a city.
Conservation must be a major element on the plan as conservation initiatives will help supply nearly 23 percent of the state’s water requirements by
2060.
The interbasin transfer policy should be altered to allow transfers for "catastrophic" events.
Another important factor is to anticipate development of technology so as to not overreact to a problem defined by the limitations of today.
Access to reliable sources of abundant clean water plays a key role in determining the future success of Texas’ economy and the health of our citizens.
There are water management strategies exist in the 16 water planning regions in the state.
Texas’ water resources are diverse and ever changing, since they are based upon climatic and demographic fluctuations.
The Texas’ population is growing at nearly twice the national rate and it is estimated that by 2060 there will be more than 46 million people living in
Texas, and the state will need ample water supplies to serve them. According to the Texas Water Development Board demand for water will increase 27
percent by 2060 and if demand is not met it could cost businesses and workers in the state approximately $9.1 billion per year by 2010 and $98.4 billion
per year by 2060.
Total statewide demand for water in Texas is projected to grow 27 percent,in 2060. From 2010 through 2060, water supplies from existing sources are
expected to decrease by 18 percent.
Estimates exist that groundwater provides 59 percent of all available fresh water in the state, with surface water providing the nearly 40 percent, and
the remaining 1 percent coming from both ground water and surface water reuse projects. Unfortunately, both water sources are decreasing – the
former due to pumping in excess of recharge, and the latter primarily because of sediment accumulation in reservoirs.
Although, demand for water will not increase as rapidly as population growth, largely due to decreases in irrigation. Demand growth for water will come
from the municipal sector. Especially sensitive areas are the Brownsville/Wesleco area because of anticipated population growth couple with its already
short supply. A reservoir is planned in the area. Another area is the Coastal Bend. Aquatic life and industry depend on the flow of fresh water into the
gulf for aquatic life to exist and industry to operate.
Each water district has its own unique problems and solutions from the Flat Lands of the panhandle to the Valley on the Rio Grande.
In general the continued monitoring of sedimentation happening in existing reservoirs has to continue as the rate sediment filling the reservoirs will out
pace any conservation strategies in the future. Also, there must be new construction of dams and reservoirs.
In 2007, the 80th Legislature enacted Senate Bill 3. Among its provisions, the bill designated 19 sites identified in the State Water Plan as having
unique value for the construction of a dam and reservoir, a designation that will expire in 2015 unless an affirmative vote for a project is made by the
project sponsor, such as the governing body of a city.
Conservation must be a major element on the plan as conservation initiatives will help supply nearly 23 percent of the state’s water requirements by
2060.
The interbasin transfer policy should be altered to allow transfers for "catastrophic" events.
Another important factor is to anticipate development of technology so as to not overreact to a problem defined by the limitations of today.
| Texas Water |
Major Texas
Aquifers
Aquifers
| How the courts will interpret law concerning whether the Landowner or the State owns the groundwater will also shape future strategies. |
| Pol. Ad Paid for by the Campaign to Elect Fran Cavanaugh Governor Brent Williams, Treasurer P.O. Box 1231, Allen, TX 75013 (C) Copyright 2010 Cavanaugh Campaign ~ All Rights Reserved Worldwide |
