The Texas Facts On Water…As We Know Them

By: Sierra King, Freelance Contributor

@CorridorNews

Texas is, as we know, one of the fastest growing states in the Nation, and with a population of over 26.4 million people, the need has increased to preserve our finite resource. WATER!

Right now, the Earth has 97.5 percent of salt water with 2.5 percent fresh water. Only a little more than one-half of 1 percent of that fresh water is available for human use. That amount breaks down to about a tenth of an ounce-less than a teaspoon per person. “Time to bring new technology to the water’s edge and turn previously unusable resources into some crystal clear solutions.”

Water scarcity is a scary fact that hits Texas today. The rapidly growing population and burgeoning economy have made an even bigger strain on our already precious resource. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as of January 8 of this year, there were 46 of Texas’ public water systems at high risk of running out water in 180 days.

The 2011 drought, the worst since 1895, cost the state billions of dollars in economic losses. Our farmers and ranchers were among those hit the hardest. According to the Texas Agrilife Extension, the loss amounted to nearly 7.6 billion dollars for Texas agricultural producers due to this one drought.

• Livestock-$3.2 billion
• Hay Production-$750 million
• Cotton-$2.2 billion
• Corn-$736 million
• Wheat-$314 million
• Sorghum-$385 million

Our water circumstances might differ in some Texas regions, but we do know that the growers throughout the state will be affected by the urban expansion and increase water demands.

What can Texans do to help with the water problem? We need to be conscious and vigilant about the ever-greater need in conservation efforts. If Texas could reduce the municipal water use by 10%, we could save about 487,000 acre-feet of water annually. According to a report by the Texas Comptroller titled, “Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution”, if manufacturing, mining, steam-electric, irrigation and livestock sectors reduced their water use by 10 percent, Texas could save 1.3 million acre-feet of water annually.

A number of cities across Texas have acknowledged this crisis and have implemented methods to help conserve water. One way is by using gray-water systems, which is water from bathtubs, showers, sinks, and washing machines and is mostly used for landscaping, and a variety of other needs. Gray-water systems are inexpensive, costing between 100-400 dollars and could save an average of 43,000 gallons a year in a family of three household.

Another innovative concept is to recycle wastewater and this would reduce the demand for fresh water. Reclaimed water or recycled water is former wastewater/sewage that has been treated to remove solids and impurities, and used in landscaping irrigation, to recharge groundwater aquifers, to meet commercial, industrial water needs, and, believe it or not, for drinking water. The purpose of these processes is sustainability and water conservation, and in some cases, recycled water  used for ecosystems and improved aesthetics. This is an example of what we will most likely see the need for in North Texas, which serves a quarter of Texas’ population, are these tougher conservation rules and reclaimed water use, and is projected to generate 23 percent of the region’s water supply by 2060.

One of the most cost effective and efficient components in dealing with our water issues is the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR). This involves storing the water in our underground aquifers where it can be accessed when needed. Aquifers naturally protect their water from contamination and evaporation. “At an average capital cost of one dollar and twenty five cents per gallon, per day of recovery capacity, ASR is about half as expensive as other methods of water storage.”

Industries all across Texas have reduced their water use due to droughts, rising water cost, and public scrutiny, and this will allow water to continue to help Texas’s economy grow. The Texas Water development Board data show that by 2011, the state’s manufacturing sector had reduced 32 percent of water usage since 1974, saving 165 billion of water.

Innovations in Texas technology has transformed the economy as much as the use of hydraulic fracturing to access oil and natural gas in shale formations. Hydraulic Fracturing usually requires a substantial amount of water to help break rock formations for oil. Some shale energy producers have developed low water and/or water free techniques that will greatly reduce the industries use of water. In fiscal year 2010 alone, taxes on natural gas production contributed 1.5 billion dollars to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, making the fund total 6.69 billion dollars.

Another way Texas is fighting this water crisis is by desalination- converting salt water to fresh water. This could possibly be one of the most important components of any solution to America’s water shortage. This leaves Texas in a perfect place to work on this project- with the state bordered by the gulf. What Texas has a lot of brackish water, water that is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as salt water. If this groundwater is converted to fresh water, it could maintain Texas’ consumption levels for 150 years. El Paso houses the world’s largest inland desalination plant that processes brackish water for human consumption. San Antonio is currently building an inland desalination plant that in its first phase could produce 10 million gallons. Desalination is the most expensive and energy intensive projects, making sure the brine collected is disposed safely.

In November of 2013, Texas voters approved Proposition 6, a constitutional amendment, which provided for the one-time transfer of $2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund, strictly used for low-cost loans for water projects. The State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRF) The adoption of these rules is the culmination of a year’s worth of study, work sessions, and meetings throughout the state, seeking stakeholder and public input. – See more at https://smcorridornews.com/news/261/after-year-long-process-seeking-input-swift-rules-adopted.html

Proposition 6 is a big step for Texas but it is only one step to helping the conditions of this drought, as Texas can use all the funding we can receive, but just money won’t give us permanent solutions. The drought will end eventually, but the challenge of providing clean water to support Texas will continue. This is why it is extremely important to stay focus and conscious, moving forward with increased conservation efforts and innovative technologies to help ensure Texas remains a vibrant state for generations to come.