WATER CONSERVATION
DIVISION
Water is a finite resource that requires careful and proactive
management: the era of plentiful and inexpensive water is ending.
Water conservation, sound management strategies, and adequate
investment in a range of solutions are essential to meet the water
demands of Texas' growing population, while protecting our natural
resources.
Based on current population projections, in the 2007 State
Water Plan, if a drought were to occur in 2060, at least some of the water demand for about 85% of the
municipal demand would not be satisfied by current water sources.
The 2007 State Water Plan is a long-term plan to meet state water
demands even during drought conditions by demand reduction through
conservation and reuse and by water supply acquisition. Since
most conventional fresh-water supplies in Texas are already developed,
water conservation is a very critical element to meeting the State's
long-term water needs.
With the projected population expected to more than double by
2060, municipal water demand is expected in increase significantly,
almost equaling agricultural water demand by 2060. The Board's
water conservation staff takes pride in providing services to
help cities, utilities and districts establish effective water
wise conservation programs. We loan out and provide training for leak detection and meter testing equipment, and assist with water audits. We provide water conservation brochures and educational materials for schools for free or minimal cost to utilities and government entities.
Agriculture currently accounts for
more than half of the state water demand. In conjunction
with the USDA-NRCS, State Soil and Water Conservation Board, local
soil and water conservation districts, local groundwater conservation
districts, and irrigation districts, we promote agricultural water conservation. We assist by providing grants
to political subdivisions to implement conservation programs,
and by utilizing either local districts or local lending institutions
to provide loans
for individual farmers to install more efficient irrigation equipment.
We provide irrigation water use estimates by county or regional planning
groups. We also provide agricultural water conservation
educational activities to agricultural trade shows and other
events related to agriculture.
Agricultural Water Conservation
Alternative
Technologies (Rainwater Harvesting, Desalination, Recycling and
Reuse)
Municipal Water Conservation
Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional
(ICI) Water Conservation
Conservation Education and Public Awareness
Literature
Drought
Monitoring and Response
Conservation Staff
Conservation Links
Water Conservation Advisory Council
Water IQ Public Awareness Campaign
Conservation related reports:
An
Assessment of Water Conservation in Texas
Know your Water Coloring Book
(August 2005)
The
Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting (August 2005)
Water Loss Audit Manual for Texas Utilities (March 2008)
Water
Conservation Implementation Task Force Report (November 2004)
Best
Management Practices Guide (November 2004)
Quantifying
the Effectiveness of Water Conservation Techniques in Texas
(March 2002)
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