SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 909

WHEREAS, Texas is a diverse state with many different ecological and hydrogeological regions and a wide range of rainfall, surface water, and groundwater availability; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board estimates that Texas' population will more than double between 2000 and 2060, growing from about 21 million to about 46 million people; that the demand for water will increase by 27 percent, from almost 17 million acre-feet of water in 2000 to 21.6 million acre-feet in 2060; and that existing water supplies will decrease by about 18 percent, from about 17.9 million acre-feet in 2010 to about 14.6 million acre-feet in 2060; and

WHEREAS, One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions for many parts of the state to help meet water supply needs now and in the future is water conservation, which is the reduction of overall demand for water and the increase in efficiency of water systems: consuming less, wasting less, and reusing more; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature has recognized the importance of water conservation, most recently with the 80th Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 4, which adopted several water conservation measures and created the Water Conservation Advisory Council in order to develop a library of best conservation practices and report biennially to the legislature on progress of water conservation efforts; and

WHEREAS, The 2007 State Water Plan recommends that 600,000 acre-feet of municipal water be conserved statewide, and many believe additional water conservation is achievable by a number of new conservation methods including increased energy efficiency; and

WHEREAS, Some regional water plans set ambitious water conservation goals and must meet those goals to be able to match water demand with water supply; and

WHEREAS, Most cities are required by state law to develop written water conservation plans, and several cities have adopted exemplary water conservation programs; and

WHEREAS, Education about water conservation opportunities and practices is needed for consumers, municipal users, agriculture, and industry; and

WHEREAS, Many in Texas are helping take the lead in educating Texans about the need to conserve water and are helping identify and implement water conservation strategies, including the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Water Foundation, groundwater conservation districts, water utilities and irrigation districts, river authorities, communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals; and

WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes the critical importance of bringing together water conservation leaders, educating Texans about water conservation opportunities and practices, and promoting the need for additional conservation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend Texans across the state on their efforts to conserve water, urge Texans to continue and expand these efforts, and proclaim May 21, 2009, Texas Water Conservation Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the participating organizations as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Averitt

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 21, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate