A Texas Water Development Board plan shows the state’s population is expected to grow more than 70% by 2070, which is expected to put a strain on our water supply.
GEORGETOWN, Texas – The City of Georgetown says its current water supply infrastructure will meet demand through 2052 and through 2057 with appropriate conservation efforts. But with more people expected to continue moving to the area, the city is trying to plan ahead and keep up with demand.
This challenge of trying to ensure the water supply can keep up with population growth is seen in many parts of Texas as more people move here and more water is used.
“When the well is dry, we know the value of water,” said Todd Danielson, vice president of engineering for Texas Water Utilities. “But we don’t want to know that this only applies when the well is dry, we have to think about it now.”
The state’s water plan shows Texas’ population is projected to grow more than 70% over its current planning horizon, from 29.7 million in 2020 to nearly 51.5 million in 2070 Much of that growth will happen here in central Texas.
Danielson said we have enough water for decades to come, but water needs to be managed properly. He said local governments should strengthen water infrastructure, using rain and sewage, and he added that the general public should also help conserve water.
“A the showerhead uses a few gallons per minute,” Danielson said. “So if a million people all saved two gallons that day, now all of a sudden you get two million gallons of water. Two million gallons of water is enough for about 10,000 people.”
Water conservation is encouraged in Georgetown as the city strives to keep up with population growth. The state water plan indicates that 29% of water requirements will come from conservation.
“Lake Georgetown is not going to grow. Lake Stillhouse is not going to grow,” said Chelsea Solomon, director of water services for the city of Georgetown. “So conservation is going to have to be a very important process, or a very important aspect of our water supply. long-term. “
While asking people to conserve, they also build infrastructure. They have three plants under construction and other water projects underway to make millions of gallons of additional water available. They even had to speed up projects to meet current demand.
“We have 8.8 million gallons coming online next summer, 44 million gallons coming two summers later,” Solomon said.
State water experts say that if we can continue to develop resources and conserve them, we will have enough water. But other changes need to be made.
“If we are able to build the reservoirs, do the storage and recovery of the aquifer, change the way we use water, we will be able to supply water for the long term and continue this big growth that Texas is seeing,” says Danielson.
Harry Styles begins his residency at the Moody Center in Austin
Texas Lottery breaks all-time sales record – again
‘Call 911, there’s a baby’ | The Livingston family rescues a baby they found in a shed