Water'ya doing? - my recent article on water preparedness. Let me know what you think

[Joshua Daniels]

Since the dawn of time, man has understood the need of a water source. Historically, great cities have always risen near the banks of rivers and lakes, and every lost traveler knows that his map to civilization is the nearest winding river. Anybody that has had the pleasure of mowing a Texas yard, during the month of August, can appreciate the value of an ice-cold glass of water. However, it is easy to take the apparently abundant resource of water for granted, and most of us never stop to question whether or not our needs will ever outgrow our supply. The issue however is not one that should be taken lightly or swept under the rug, but should be strategically considered and approached. Here is why:

The state of Texas is growing rapidly due to the migration of new residents seeking jobs, and the reproduction rate of current residents. Over the next forty-five years our state will experience an 82% increase in population (which is projected to be nearly 46.5 million people by 2060). According to the Texas Water Development Board, our current water supply in Texas is not sufficient for the additional 21 million residents that are being projected. Additionally, severe drought conditions would leave nearly half of the projected residents without the necessary water supply. Think back to the recent drought, in 2011, and consider the losses of 5.6 million trees and $7.62 billion in crops/livestock. Now consider the same conditions with almost double the current population, and it is easy to imagine the ensuing devestation we could be subjected to if something isn't done.

Texas' current water plan, Water for Texas 2012, is the state's response to future water shortages, and meets the national standards for drought preparedness. The plan is split into 16 Texas water-planning districts, so this is a locally driven model that will be implemented from the ground up. Consequently, it is truly an issue that is best addressed at the local level first. However, funding has been an issue for local governments across Texas, and has created a barrier between the planning and implementation. Nonprofit organizations, like H2O4TEXAS Coalition, have popped up throughout the state to help raise awareness, and adding your voice to their efforts is an important part of being an active community participant. Be sure to express your concerns to your local state senator or representative, and stay up to date on water-related bills. If you do not know who your state representative or senator is, you can access that information by clicking HERE.

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