Executive Summary

Population growth, drought, and climate change are straining the water supplies of Texas communities. Our state’s population is projected to double by 2060. Much of the state is in the throes of a prolonged drought. Climate experts are predicting that the U.S. Southwest will grow signifi cantly drier and hotter in the coming years. The combined challenges of climate change, drought and population growth make it clear that many Texas communities will be increasingly burdened with the responsibility of parceling out a diminishing supply of water to an increasing number of customers.

Nowhere in Texas are these issues more acute than in Central Texas - which is projected to grow at a faster rate than most of the state and is currently in the midst of extreme drought. This study analyzes the challenges posed by population growth, drought and climate change for water availability, as well as the responses to date of Central Texas communities in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (Williamson, Travis and Hays Counties). Our analysis concludes that, while almost all communities within this area are taking additional steps to conserve water, few are embracing the full range of options readily available.

In recent years, the State of Texas has made progress in promoting water conservation. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), acting in accordance with state law, now requires that each city with 3300 or more retail water connections submit a water conservation plan at regular intervals. In addition, the TWDB has recommended that cities attain an average water consumption level of 140 gallons per capita per day or lower (a number arrived at by dividing a given community’s population into the total number of gallons retail customers, including non-residential customers, consume an average day). However, the 140 gpcd level is only a recommendation, and the Texas Legislature has not delegated to the TWDB or any other state agency the ability to require that cities lower their consumption rates.

Many American cities - including San Antonio - have implemented aggressive water conservation programs that have stretched water resources. Their example has demonstrated that the most aff ordable method of meeting water needs is conservation. However, as this report shows, most cities within the Austin region, including Austin and its fast-growing neighbors in Williamson County; continue to place primary emphasis on additional treatment and distribution capacity rather than conservation.

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