Texas On Verge of Southwest-Like Drought (MySanAntonio)

Jan.04, 2009 in Drought, Public Works, Water Crisis, Water Industry, Water Rights

(Jan. 4, 2009, MySanAntonio)

More than a decade ago, Texas kicked off an ambitious and comprehensive program to guarantee that the state’s urban and rural regions would have the water supplies they needed through 2050. Much good work has been done under the framework established by 1997’s Senate Bill 1, but Texas still faces alarming trends when it comes to our water needs. As the Legislature convenes this month, more action — and more funding — will be needed to keep Texas on a path that heads away from the water crises seen in other Southern and Western states…

As an example of what will be needed, consider the proposed project to transfer water from the Lower Colorado River Authority supplies to the San Antonio Water System. This project, authorized by special legislation after SB 1, requires this kind of environmental analysis, which has taken five years and is expected to cost $50 million. Texans — including lawmakers — should expect to factor in that kind of effort and expense for many, perhapsmost, of the water projects we’ll need to ensure adequate future supplies throughout the state…

Ideas for generating this revenue, ranging from water rights fees to sales taxes on bottled water, have been thoroughly reviewed by the Texas Water Development Board, which estimates such measures could rise from $50 million to $175 million per year. This would allow us to move quickly to understand what options are viable and worth pursuing, so we can in turn move forward on constructing the projects that will help us avoid future water crises. The Legislature needs to devote attention in the upcoming session to consider and choose the best options to help keep Texas taps from running dry.

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