H.R. No. 2236
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas is a diverse state with a variety of
ecological and hydrogeological regions and a wide range of
rainfall, surface water, and groundwater availability; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board estimates that the
state's population will more than double between 2000 and 2060,
growing from about 21 million to some 46 million; the board further
estimates that the demand for water will increase by 27 percent,
from nearly 17 million acre-feet of water in 2000 to 21.6 million
acre-feet in 2060, and that existing water supplies will decrease
by about 18 percent, from approximately 17.9 million acre-feet in
2010 to around 14.6 million acre-feet in 2060; and
WHEREAS, One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions
to help the state meet water supply needs now and in the future is
water conservation, which includes not only the reduction of
overall demand for water but also the increase in efficiency of
water systems; and
WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created
in 2007 to develop information on best conservation practices and
report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts;
additionally, the 2007 State Water Plan recommends that 600,000
acre-feet of municipal water be conserved statewide, and many
believe additional water conservation is achievable by a number of
new conservation methods, including increased energy efficiency;
and
WHEREAS, Some regional water plans also set ambitious water
conservation goals and must meet those goals to be able to match
water demand with water supply; most cities are required by state
law to develop written water conservation plans, and several have
adopted exemplary water conservation programs; and
WHEREAS, Education about water conservation opportunities
and practices is needed for consumers, municipal users,
agriculture, and industry to consume less, waste less, and reuse
more; taking the lead in such education are the Texas Water
Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture,
and the Texas Water Foundation; moreover, groundwater conservation
districts, water utilities and irrigation districts, river
authorities, communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and
individuals are also involved in the efforts; and
WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes the critical importance
of bringing together water conservation leaders to educate Texans
about water conservation opportunities and practices and to promote
the need for additional conservation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Texans across the state for their
efforts to conserve water, urge them to continue to conserve even
more water, and recognize May 21, 2009, as Texas Water Conservation
Day at the State Capitol.
Ritter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2236 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House