H.R. No. 1428
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, At a time of prolonged statewide drought, the
availability and sustainability of water resources is an issue of
ever more pressing concern, especially as population growth is set
to place greater stress on water supplies in the coming years; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board has estimated that
the state's demand for water will increase by 22 percent by 2060,
from around 18 million acre-feet to 22 million acre-feet, and that
existing water supplies will decrease by about 10 percent, from
approximately 17 million acre-feet to 15.3 million acre-feet; and
WHEREAS, One of the most cost-effective solutions to this
challenge is water conservation, which includes not only the
reduction of overall demand for water but also the increased
efficiency of water systems; a poll conducted in 2014 by the Texas
Water Foundation found that close to half of respondents were aware
of the anticipated shortage, but only 30 percent felt that they were
doing everything they could to eliminate unnecessary water use; and
WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created
in 2007 to build a repository of best conservation practices and to
report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts;
the 2010 State Water Plan projects that 8.3 million acre-feet of
additional water supply will be required by 2060, and a number of
strategies have been put forth to help lessen this deficit,
including increased energy efficiency, reservoir development,
desalination, water reuse, and smart water management; and
WHEREAS, Some regional water plans also set ambitious targets
for improvement in order to match water demand with water supply; in
addition, most cities are required by state law to prepare written
water conservation plans, and several have adopted exemplary
programs to this end; and
WHEREAS, Education about water-saving habits and practices
is key to reducing the consumption of water by consumers,
municipalities, and agricultural and industrial enterprises;
taking the lead in providing such education are the Texas Water
Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture,
the Texas Water Foundation, and the Water Conservation Advisory
Council; moreover, groundwater conservation districts, water
utilities, irrigation districts, river authorities, communities,
businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals are involved
in this vital initiative as well; and
WHEREAS, Ensuring an adequate water supply for our growing
population is a goal made possible with the support of every Texas
citizen, business, and organization, and the observance of Texas
Water Conservation Day reminds us of the need to remain diligent in
our stewardship of this precious and finite resource; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 26, 2015, as Texas Water
Conservation Day at the State Capitol and urge all Texans to learn
more about the steps they can take to reduce water usage in their
daily lives.
Lucio III
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1428 was adopted by the House on April
16, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House