Texas Water Needs

Will we have enough water in the future? Experts believe we will have enough water for people to drink, but not to water our lawns, or to allow sufficient water flowing in our streams to support fish and wildlife at current levels.

Our primary uses for water are for irrigation, municipalities and industry. Improved irrigation methods and agricultural practices have already reduced some of that demand. Conservation measures and fixing leaking municipal water lines has helped some cities such as San Antonio to reduce their water demand considerably. But with an increasing population, demand will continue to grow. To reach a sustainable water conservation goal, Texas will need commitment to conservation practices by individuals, municipalities and all sectors.

Texas Water Supply Needs by Water Use Category for 2010-2060

Source: Water for Texas, 2007. Texas Water Development Board.

Irrigation: commercial field crop production
Livestock: cattle ranches, feedlots, poultry farms, and other commercial animal operations
Mining: key mining sectors in the state, such as coal, oil and gas, and aggregate producers
Steam-electric: coal-fired and nuclear power generation plants
Manufacturing: industrial firms, such as food processors, paper mills, electronics manufacturers, aircraft assemblers, and petrochemical refineries
Municipal: residential, commercial (non-industrial businesses, such as restaurants and office buildings), and institutional water users (schools and government facilities)

With water demands growing, where does that leave wildlife? [more...]