Water is a precious resource. A man may survive not more than three days without water. All living beings, vegetation, and humans thrive in places where there is abundance of water. Until recently, people assumed that water had been an unending resource. In the present time water shortages, frequent droughts, global climatic changes forcing irregular seasons and rains are forcing us to reconsider our misnomers about water. In developing nations, the daily water requirement of the poor are not met while in developed nations water shortages are hindering industrial activities and farmlands. This paper tries to look at the water requirement and issues in the state of Texas, United States. Texas is declared drought emergency area during July 2011 due to failing rainfall and the declaration was renewed in 2014 (Governor Rick Perry, 2014). Rains have not replenished natural lakes, aquifers, and major rivers and so the state reels under increasing demand from the populous. This report will try to understand the reasons for this crisis and the remedies sought after. It also reports on the political viewpoints of various stakeholders and the policies drafted to solve the problem. While water issues are mostly local to the area or regional, but their solutions may have universal appeal to many areas with similar problems.
- Introduction
The state of Texas is one of the largest states in United States spanning 261,797 square miles and comprising of 254 counties (Info please, Person Education, 2014). Its population is 25,145,561 and is one of the fastest growing states in the country (US Census 2010). It has 14 major rivers flowing through the territory, about 100 lakes and 23 aquifers. Texas is an agricultural state, and a business giant. There are 10 major cities in the state that host chemicals, oil refining, and food processing industries. Oil, cattle, sheep, and cotton are its major products and farms here produce dairy products, fruits, and vegetables along with a wide range of other produce. Major cities like Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston and about 100 state natural parks attract millions of tourists each year.
Water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use could come from the rivers and aquifers. In the recent past, there is shift in the supply due to drying of wells, and rivers. Ground water resources are tapped to meet the growing demand of increasing population. Fifty five percent of the state’s drinking water comes from ground water (StateImpact.com, NPR, 2014). Ground water has shown signs of contamination from chemical, petroleum, and oil leaks, which placed the supply at risk. There several measures adopted by state’s water quality control bodies like Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Water Development Board. More than the quality of water, quantity of water available seems to be a bigger problem.
- Problem identification
Water consumption patterns need to be analyzed to understand the problem. There are two forms of water sources available in the state of Texas. Surface water in the form of lakes, ponds, rivers and reservoirs and groundwater. Surface water is owned by the state and is available for use by cities, municipalities, or industries. Appropriated water rights control how much each user may get (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, n/d). These rights have been source of contention for ages because water availability is dependent on seniority of permit rather than the sequence of the flows. Surface water does not meet the water requirement of the state of the hot climate, scanty rains and insufficient sources.
Groundwater is mostly used for irrigation purposes. Ground water is governed by ‘rule of capture’, which essentially means if you own a tract of land, you may pump ground water as much as you want not minding falling water levels in the neighboring wells. This age-old rule still dictates some terms while the ground water districts manage the water availability (Texas AgriLife Extension Service, n/d). Many states have weaned away from such restrictive rules yet rule of capture is considered as the rule of the land in Texas.
Texas has an arid climate and droughts in this part are common. Severe droughts of 1930 and 1950 forced major change in the economy of the state. From an agricultural, faming, cattle ranching state it became trade, commerce and business center with oil exploration, refineries, and chemical processing units (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2014). Each time drought hits, there is also major change in policy governing water supply, irrigation or administration. For example, the extensive top soil erosion of 1930’s drought brought about conversation measures to prevent soil erosion. Water Planning Act of 1957 was result of seven-year drought of 1950. The Act was the first ever-statewide measure for improving water supply, development, and conservation.
Drought in these parts of the country is extensive because of hot and dry climate and high dependency on water resources. It brings about unforeseen calamities like grasshoppers, wildfires, dust storms, crop failures, livestock deaths, and economic hardship (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2014). The current drought of 2011 is compared to the 1950’s drought because it is the hottest and driest 12 month period ever recorded in the history of Texas.
In 2010, Census population of Texas is 25.4 million and it is expected to reach 46 million by 2060. Farmers use 55% of the all water available in the state followed by 27% used in Municipalities for domestic and industrial use. Quantity of water available, purposes in which it is used; drought recurrence, differing water rights, and population increase are the top reasons for water problems in the state.
- Opinion and Discussion
It is easier to point most problems to increasing population but it is also imperative we understand that water is a limited resource. Its conservation, replenishment, conservation are important to sustain supplies for present and future. Complexity in governance and administration, more complicated water laws are worsening the scenario of water distribution. We have not yet mastered the techniques of salt-water filtration to use the Gulf of Mexico waters nor did the population control methods perfected.
Immigrant or migrant population into Border States like Texas is a big concern. Majority of population in the cities of Houston, San Antonio are migrants from Mexico and other countries. Cities thrive on minimum wage workers from across borders, industry, and farms support employment. Population statistics also changed politics. Hispanic and African American population have tilted the political balance towards Republicans and continue to do so in the present times. Water as a resource is not only governed by consumers it but also by the politicians and administrators. Legal battles in water rights have increased due to the ongoing drought and the political front is heated due to the debate on water sharing. People are priority in water distribution but water is not the only life support we need to survive. Food that is produced from irrigated farms, animals those are reared on green pastures and vegetation sustain our lives. Direct and indirect use of water to run factories, to wash away impurities and many such uses of water make our lives comfortable.
- Political Opinions and Strategies
Texas had been a Democratic Party strong hold for centuries. In the past 50-60 years, that trend changed to Republican inclination with major posts held by them. In major cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, the seats are shared between Republicans and Democrats. One party believes that water conservation and preservation are the future of the state while others wish to increase the capacity of reservoirs and dams. As pointed by the Land Commissioner two major priorities are foreseen to flex the poll results in March- conservation of existing resources and new technology innovations for tiding the water crisis. Republicans have voted HB5 bill unanimously on using the rainy funds and securing 20% of funds for conservation projects. The passing of Proposition 6 during November 2013 indicated that both Republicans and Democrats are for the improvement of state’s water resources though few are not convinced on the priority of the projects. The 2 billion-fund transfer was a first time venture into improving water infrastructure in the state. The amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue up to $6 billion in bonds to finance water projects across the state (Texas Government, 2011) is also a measure in the right direction.
- Conclusion
Scarcity of water is a universal problem. Adding additional sources is not a very viable option because it could mean additional expenditure or the geography just does not support such. Texas does not have surplus funds to bear the cost of additional infrastructure. Conservation and recycling seem to be only ways out for a better tomorrow.
References
Governor Rick Perry, March 14, 2014. “Gov. Perry Again Renews Proclamation Extending Drought Emergency.” Office of Governor Rick Perry. 14 March 2014. Web. Accessed on 15 March 2014. Retrieved from http://governor.state.tx.us/news/proclamation/19500/
Info please, Person Education, 2014. “Texas”. 2013. Web. Accessed on March 14, 2014. Available at http://www.infoplease.com/us-states/texas.html#ixzz2w6RC3pvy
US Census, 2010.
StateImpact.com, NPR, 2014. “Your Guide to Water Issues In Texas.” 2014. Web. Accessed on March 14, 2014. Available at http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/tag/water-issues/
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, n/d. Rights to Surface Water in Texas. GI-228 (Rev 3/09). 2014. Web. Accessed on March 13, 2014. Available at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/gi/gi-228.html/at_download/file.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, n/d. “ Water in Texas – Who Owns it?” Date accessed March 14, 2015. Web. Available at http://www.tgpc.state.tx.us/subcommittees/POE/FAQs/WaterOwnership_FAQ.pdf.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 2014. “Major Droughts in Modern Texas.” Last modified on February 21, 2014. Web. Accessed on March 15 2014. Available at https://www.tsl.texas.gov/highlights/2012_02/lobby-exhibits-3b.html
Texas Government, 2011. GOVT 2306: “Texas Government” Page 274 – Pearson Custom Library- Political Science
