Withering Water

                The lone star state is experiencing one of the worst droughts it has seen in a hundred years. Reservoirs are running dry and water levels in rivers and aquifers are dropping to record lows. Some cities and counties may not even have enough water by the time summer ends. Unfortunately, this drought may get worse and more severe seeing that we are only in the middle of this summer season. Water is a resource many of us take for granted. This article by Bill Callegari from the Austin-Statesman addresses not only the people, but the Texas government.  Texas legislation has failed to create “Fourteen major reservoir sites designated by the Legislature in 2007.” These sites “remain undeveloped due to lack of funding and federal regulatory interference.”

                Bill Callegari is substantially stating the fact that Texas needs to sharpen its focus on long-term water policies and projects. His plea for change comes from historic and current sources. Scientific studies of tree ring records indicate the presence of historic mega droughts in the state of Texas. These mega droughts endured somewhere between 20 to 40 years during the 1100’s and 1200’s. Who knows when the next ‘mega drought’ will hit? Texas is not properly prepared for short-term droughts and is especially not ready for a mega drought. The droughts of 2006 and 2009 alone cost the state of Texas 4.1 billion and 3.8 billion dollars in damage. At this rate, Texas long-term water supply plan will be pinnacle to the Texas economy. Bill states that Texas has taken renowned strides in state-wide water planning. However, the perfect plan fails without the correct execution. There is not enough emphasis and stride in the legislature to create water-smart conservation practices and technologies. This may be due to the fact that state’s budget is getting tighter by the minute and these extensive water plans need reliable funding. Even though Texas is in a tight budget, it makes logical sense to invest in long-term water supply solution because it will eventually “outweigh the costs of droughts.” Bill Callegari himself is a very reliable source of information based on his professional background. He has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2000. He has over 30 years of experience in the water industry, and currently serves as chairman of the House Committee on Governmental Efficiency and Reform. I agree with Bill Callegari’s statement because water is the most important resource to all living things. Too many people don’t appreciate the value of the resource.  As Texans, we should make it a top priority to create long-term water conservation programs and make sure we execute these plans for future.
Link: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/callegari-texas-needs-to-focus-on-a-long-1610117.html