Texas' Water Resources Future

A new report says Texas must work to develop and protect its water resources to ensure adequate future supplies. The report by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recommends that lawmakers consider a dedicated fund for water development by adding a sales tax on exempt water and sewer services, as well as bottle water. More than 46-million people are expected to be living in state by 2060, and demand for water will increase by an estimated 27-percent. Groundwater and surface water account for 99-percent of the state's water usage, and both sources are dwindling.

Big Country officials are still working on plans build the proposed Cedar Ridge Reservoir along the Haskell, Shackelford and Throckmorton County line. This reservoir would be located in the Brazos River and Cedar Creek watershed.

In the "Liquid Assets: The State of Texas' Water Resources" report it states that  failing to meet that demand would make the state vulnerable to drought, costing agricultural producers up to $4-billion annually, and other businesses nearly $100-million annually by 2060 because of decreased activity caused by insufficient water.

The report also suggests that officials considering proposals for water projects should make sure the financing is sufficient to cover identified costs without burdening those who pay the fees. Water project costs should also be spread among all users in connection with their demand, and funds raised for water development projects should only be used on those projects. Combs also recommends that plans should be affordable to users and be simple. Texans should also continually be encouraged Texans to conserve water and use it efficiently.