Water Pipelines In Texas: Whose Causing Rural Water Shortages?
Everything is bigger in Texas. And it is this mentality that has allowed the State to flourish seemingly unhindered for years, but they may already be facing a challenge they weren’t prepared to tackle. Water supplies are spread thin. The state population is booming, meaning more water is being used in urban areas, but where is it coming from? Rural farms are watching their wells dry up and are being forced to dig deeper and deeper into the earth. Meanwhile, nothing seems to be slowing down as growth ramps up in all sectors.
Where Does Texas Get It’s Drinking Water?
There are over a dozen major rivers in Texas and over 11,000 streams. Most of which flow either into the Gulf of Mexico or the Mississippi river. But for all of that water, the residents of Texas continue to face water shortages.
Most of Texas’ drinking water comes from underground sources. About 60% of its water comes from 9 major and 22 minor underground aquifers.
Official Predictions
In 2017 the Texas Water development board produced a comprehensive report and a plan for State with projections into 2070. This plan is put together by the State every 5-years.
The plan recognizes that water supplies are of significant concern when considering the State’s rapid growth in population, infrastructure, and resources.
Here Are The 6 Main Sectors Using Water In Texas According to the TWDB in order of most water used to least.
- Irrigation
- Municipal
- Manufacturing
- Steam-electric
- Mining
- Live Stock
The largest increase in water usage is expected to come from the municipal sector. Skyrocketing from about 11% of all water needs to 38% by 2070.
Likewise, they have found that individuals in Texas face a growing risk of water shortages that vary in severity.
– By 2070, 82% of Texas will face a 10% water shortage
– By 2070, 34% of Texans will have less than half of the municipal water they need.
– The number of Texans with less than 10% of the water they require will grow from 100,000 in 2020 to over half a million in 2070.
Of course, these predictions are pretty far off, but we already see the effects of water shortages across the State. The problem can only be expected to worsen as we factor in complications from Global Warming.
Where Does The Water Go?
The Texas economy relies on fossil fuels, agriculture, and real estate to survive. All of which require massive amounts of water. Skyrocketing growth in these sectors alongside industrial development is threatening to overwhelm already lacking water resources.
Natural springs that have existed for thousands of years are drying up because the water is being diverted for municipal needs. Springs that supply local wells, reflecting a real-time balance between managing growth and resources.
Of course, none of this is taking climate change into account. As the weather becomes more extreme, what should be a future of draughts becomes a present reality.
Some locations could simply run out of water.
Without the right planning, rural locations could be hit the hardest. As they are forced to spend more and more money just to access the water that they need to survive.
What’s Impacting Rural Water Supplies
Because underground water supplies are difficult to pinpoint geographically, it is difficult to claim ownership. So anyone who can access the water supply has a right to pump it.
Leaders in Texas understand that cities are the greatest drivers of growth in the State, and that is why they have consented to projects pumping underground water out of rural areas and into cities.
Here Are Some Findings From The Texas Tribune
– The Vista Ridge Pumping Station will drop water levels by 54% within a 5-mile radius.
– The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District fills about 20% of San Antonio’s water needs.
– Distract data shows that water in nearby wells is dropping dramatically.
– Hydrologists claim that water levels should stabilize after a big initial drop and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Conclusion
The water situation in Texas seems dire, but there is still hope. With the right management, water stores can be relocated into cities without severely impacting the homes of rural ranchers. Still, the future is uncertain. If you are interested in learning more about above-ground water transportation methods, you can check out our website.