AUSTIN, Texas - A new study by Clean Water Fund warns that Central Texas is likely to experience serious long-term water shortages as population continues to increase and the effect of drought and climate change make themselves felt. The report urges Central Texas communities to amplify their efforts to conserve water. The report, called "The Coming Crisis: Water Availability and Municipal Conservation Efforts in Central Texas," outlines the challenges facing water security from population growth, drought and climate change, and surveys the limited conservation steps that cities in Williamson County, Travis County and Hays County have undertaken to date.

"Even with the recent rainfall, we are still suffering the consequences of one of the most serious droughts in our history," said David Foster, Texas Program Director for Clean Water Fund and the report's primary author. "Lake Travis has risen by less than two feet. The Lower Colorado River Authority is telling us that the Highland Lakes received 400,000 fewer acre feet of water last year than they did during the 1950s drought of record. Water levels in Lake Georgetown have fallen to the point that the Brazos River Authority has been compelled to import water from Stillhouse Hollow Lake near Belton to meet needs in Williamson County. And there is every possibility that the drought will return next year."

The report also highlights the impact that climate change is likely to have on Central Texas water supplies. "The consensus among climate experts is that Central Texas will experience less rainfall and higher rates of evaporation as the century progresses. By mid-century, Central Texas communities will need to provide water for more than twice as many people as today, but they will less water at their disposal to do so," said Foster.

It is imperative, says Foster, for cities to implement aggressive plans to conserve water now. "The City of San Antonio managed to hold its overall water consumption level over twenty years, even as its population doubled, thanks to its conservation programs. Los Angeles did the same."

The report acknowledges steps that some Central Texas cities have recently taken to conserve water. Round Rock created a two-tier rate structure last year to encourage its customers to conserve, and Austin has initiated a host of new conservation programs, with more on the horizon. However, the report maintains that much more needs to be done, particularly in rapidly growing Williamson County. The level of water consumption in Round Rock, Williamson County's largest city, stands at 200 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) - well above the state's recommended level of 140 gpcd. Austin's stands at 178 gpcd.

"Our water resources are not unlimited. We need to start using our water resources as efficiently as we can, all the time, said Jennifer Walker, Water Resources Specialist for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. "Cities that get serious about water efficiency now will be well-positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Among the report's recommendations for Central Texas cities:

• Implement a plan to meet the state's recommendation of per capita water use of 140 gallons per person per day. Almost every city in Central Texas, including Austin, is well above this level.
• Postpone plans to build expensive new drinking water treatment plants until ambitious conservation programs have been implemented, Numerous studies have reported that conservation is the most cost-effective method of meeting needs.
  Create a billing structure with multiple tiers for residential water use and charge significantly more per gallon for higher tiers in order to provide financial incentives to conserve.
• Create incentive programs that reward households for installing drought-resistant landscaping, low-flow toilets, rain water collection and more. Such programs help save consumers and the water utility money, extend our water supply, and avoid the need to build new treatment plants.
• Increase investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Conventional sources of energy-coal, natural gas, and nuclear-all require huge amounts of water, with nuclear energy consuming the most.

The full report can be downloaded from our publications section.

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