Written by Evgenia Spears, the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter water program coordinator.
We can’t afford to gamble with taxpayer dollars on these risky and expensive approaches. Texas needs to focus on proven, cost-effective solutions. For example, water recycling — a strategy recommended by the State Water Plan — is already being implemented successfully in cities like Dallas and Fort Worth and helps conserve water without the need for expensive new infrastructure. Aquifer storage and recovery is another effective water conservation strategy used in Texas, which relies on collecting water during times of abundance to store it underground and recover during droughts.
The most immediate and reasonable solution, however, lies in fixing our aging infrastructure. Right now, Texas loses 51-55 gallons of water per service connection every day due to leaky pipes. That’s the water we’ve already treated and transported, but it never made it to homes, schools, or businesses. If we fix these leaks, we could “reclaim” enough water to meet the annual water needs of Fort Worth, El Paso, Austin, Lubbock and Laredo combined.
Water is easy to take for granted — until it’s gone. When taps run dry or boil notices are issued, we’re reminded just how essential it is. While it’s encouraging that the Legislature is considering historic investments in Texas water, the proposed solutions come with significant risks, and funding should be directed to proven water management strategies that deliver immediate benefits to Texas communities.
