For Immediate Release (Wednesday, January 16, 2013)::
For More Information:
Ken Kramer 512-626-4204
New Legislative Budget Board Staff Report Underscores the Role of Water Conservation and Drought Response in Meeting Texas Water Needs
The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club says that the Texas State Government Effectiveness and Efficiency Report released by the Legislative Budget Board staff on Tuesday underscores the role that municipal water conservation and drought response could play in meeting Texas water needs. “The findings and recommendations of the LBB staff on enhancing state participation in municipal water conservation confirm what conservationists have contended for years,” said Ken Kramer, Sierra Club Water Resources Chair, “Effective water conservation and drought response measures save water and money, and the more the State of Texas supports or requires these measures the more water suppliers may delay or avoid many costly infrastructure projects.”
Among the findings and concerns in the LBB staff report:
“Total water lost from pipe distribution leaks in Texas is estimated at 16.7 percent of all water distributed…”
“…a reduction in water consumption of one gallon per capita per day by all Texans could potentially avoid $407.2 million of capital costs…”
“Funding for the state’s public awareness water conservation program, Water IQ, is not sufficient…”
“Most utilities are only required to submit water loss audit reports to the state every five years. This infrequent reporting reduces the ability of local entities as well as the state to track water consumption accurately.”
“Utility systems that have significant rates of water loss are permitted to apply for additional state assistance to increase water supplies without having to reduce water loss rates.”
“Fewer than 25 percent of water suppliers reported instituting any formal drought restrictions in 2011, which was the most intense single year drought on record. Of suppliers that did enact restrictions, a significant portion did so only after being in a stage of exceptional drought, the highest drought intensity category, for more than several months.”
The LBB staff report recommends:
Increasing state appropriations by $6 million in the coming biennium to fund the Water IQ public awareness program
Requiring the state Water Conservation Advisory Council to include legislative recommendations in their biennial report to the Legislature
Increasing funding for improvements in data collection and management relating to water utility conservation efforts
Requiring water utilities to conduct annual audits of water lost in their systems
Authorizing the Texas Water Development Board to require state financing recipients to address water loss in their systems
Requiring local water utilities to implement their drought contingency plans when the Governor issues an Emergency Disaster Proclamation for exceptional drought conditions
Requiring the Texas Water Development Board to consider the timely implementation of drought contingency plans by applicants for state financial assistance for water projects
Increasing state appropriations for grants related to water reuse and recycling and other innovative water technologies
The LBB staff report on municipal water conservation and related water activities notes: “Water conservation is the most cost efficient method to enhance current water supplies compared to other water management strategies. Increasing the level of water conservation achieved by municipal water suppliers would reduce the cost of meeting State Water Plan supply goals. Increased water conservation by the public would improve the sustainability of this resource and reduce increases in household utility expenditures.”
“There is increasing understanding among water professionals, financial experts, government officials, and the general public that Texas needs a comprehensive and cost-effective approach to meeting the state’s water needs,” said the Sierra Club’s Kramer. “Water conservation and effective drought response are critical to that approach. The Legislative Budget Board staff report highlights significant ways in which the State of Texas might enhance its participation in achieving the potential that conservation and drought management offers us in assuring our water future.”
[The Texas State Government Effectiveness and Efficiency Report also includes sections on funding the state water plan and improving utility reporting to ensure state entities are effectively managing water use. The full report may be found on the LBB web site
