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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, At a time of prolonged statewide drought, the |
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availability and sustainability of water resources is an issue of |
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ever more pressing concern, especially as population growth is set |
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to place greater stress on water supplies in the coming years; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board has estimated that |
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the state's demand for water will increase by 22 percent by 2060, |
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from around 18 million acre-feet to 22 million acre-feet, and that |
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existing water supplies will decrease by about 10 percent, from |
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approximately 17 million acre-feet to 15.3 million acre-feet; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the most cost-effective solutions to this |
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challenge is water conservation, which includes not only the |
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reduction of overall demand for water but also the increased |
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efficiency of water systems; a poll conducted in 2014 by the Texas |
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Water Foundation found that close to half of respondents were aware |
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of the anticipated shortage, but only 30 percent felt that they were |
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doing everything they could to eliminate unnecessary water use; and |
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WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created |
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in 2007 to build a repository of best conservation practices and to |
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report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts; |
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the 2010 State Water Plan projects that 8.3 million acre-feet of |
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additional water supply will be required by 2060, and a number of |
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strategies have been put forth to help lessen this deficit, |
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including increased energy efficiency, reservoir development, |
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desalination, water reuse, and smart water management; and |
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WHEREAS, Some regional water plans also set ambitious targets |
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for improvement in order to match water demand with water supply; in |
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addition, most cities are required by state law to prepare written |
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water conservation plans, and several have adopted exemplary |
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programs to this end; and |
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WHEREAS, Education about water-saving habits and practices |
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is key to reducing the consumption of water by consumers, |
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municipalities, and agricultural and industrial enterprises; |
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taking the lead in providing such education are the Texas Water |
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Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, |
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the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture, |
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the Texas Water Foundation, and the Water Conservation Advisory |
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Council; moreover, groundwater conservation districts, water |
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utilities, irrigation districts, river authorities, communities, |
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businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals are involved |
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in this vital initiative as well; and |
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WHEREAS, Ensuring an adequate water supply for our growing |
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population is a goal made possible with the support of every Texas |
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citizen, business, and organization, and the observance of Texas |
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Water Conservation Day reminds us of the need to remain diligent in |
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our stewardship of this precious and finite resource; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 26, 2015, as Texas Water |
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Conservation Day at the State Capitol and urge all Texans to learn |
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more about the steps they can take to reduce water usage in their |
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daily lives. |