SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 172
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 to report biennially to the legislature on water
conservation efforts; 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; in addition, 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 so that consumers, municipalities, and
agricultural and industrial users consume less, waste less, and
reuse more; taking the lead in providing such education are the
Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
the Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Texas Water
Foundation; moreover, groundwater conservation districts, water
utilities, irrigation districts, river authorities,
communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and
individuals are also involved in this vital initiative; 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby commend Texans across the state for their
efforts to conserve water, urge them to continue to conserve even
more water, and recognize March 28, 2013, as Texas Water
Conservation Day at the State Capitol.
Fraser
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 27, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate