SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 12

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

WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board estimates that the state's population will more than double between 2000 and 2060, growing from about 21 million to some 46 million; the board further estimates that the demand for water will increase by 27 percent, from nearly 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 approximately 17.9 million acre-feet in 2010 to around 14.6 million acre-feet in 2060; and

WHEREAS, One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions to help the state meet water supply needs now and in the future is water conservation, which includes not only the reduction of overall demand for water but also the increase in efficiency of water systems; and

WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created in 2007 to develop information on best conservation practices and to report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts; 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 also set ambitious water conservation goals and must meet those goals to be able to match water demand with water supply; in addition, most cities are required by state law to develop written water conservation plans, and several have adopted exemplary water conservation programs; and

WHEREAS, Education about water conservation opportunities and practices is needed so that consumers, municipalities, and agricultural and industrial users consume less, waste less, and reuse more; taking the lead in providing such education are the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Texas Water Foundation; moreover, groundwater conservation districts, water utilities, irrigation districts, river authorities, communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals are also involved in this vital initiative; and

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

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend Texans across the state for their efforts to conserve water, urge them to continue to conserve even more water, and recognize April 27, 2011, as Texas Water Conservation Day at the State Capitol.

Fraser

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 13, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate