By: Creighton, Nichols S.C.R. No. 34
(In the Senate - Filed March 23, 2015; March 30, 2015, read
first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, and
Rural Affairs; April 15, 2015, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 15, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Among the most urgent issues facing Texas is the
recent prolonged drought that has resulted in a diminished
freshwater supply and the need to find alternative water sources;
and
WHEREAS, Montgomery County is one area that is facing special
difficulties in sustaining an adequate water supply, not only
because of the drought, but also because of its increasing
population, which grew by 9.5 percent between 2010 and 2013, and its
need to comply with a mandate to reduce usage of the Gulf Coast
Aquifer by 30 percent by the year 2016; and
WHEREAS, Texas is estimated to have more than 2.7 billion
acre-feet of brackish groundwater, a crucial option for an
alternative water supply, and desalination techniques can reduce
the saline content of those brackish supplies to meet freshwater
standards; and
WHEREAS, The City of El Paso and Fort Bliss have established a
successful desalination program at the Kay Bailey Hutchison
Desalination Plant, which can produce up to 27.5 million gallons of
potable water each day from brackish water; employing a similar
desalination method, Montgomery County could replenish and
maintain a sufficient water supply through its access to brackish
groundwater sources; and
WHEREAS, Treating the abundance of brackish groundwater in
the area to comply with freshwater regulations has the potential to
provide Montgomery County residents with sufficient water
resources while alleviating pressure on freshwater resources, and
this innovative process is indeed deserving of further research;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a
feasibility study on the use of desalinated brackish groundwater
from brackish groundwater sources for water supply in Montgomery
County; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this study be completed no later than January
1, 2018; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board submit a full report, including its
findings and recommendations, to the 85th Texas Legislature, the
county judge of Montgomery County, and the county commissioners of
Montgomery County no later than June 1, 2018.
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