Creating the Water Supplies of the Future in Time of Financial Drought

Lewis McMahan

Texas Water Development Board

Budget deficitAustin American Statesman – January 10, 2011

Revenue estimate puts shortfall at $27 billion

“Texas is expected to collect $72.2 billion in taxes, fees and other general revenue during the 2012-13 budget, down from the $87 billion used in the current two-year budget, Comptroller Susan Combs announced Monday.

That puts the shortfall at $27 billion given that maintaining services would run $99 billion for biennium.”

Growth continues

“Between 2004 and 2006 state-to-state migrants to Texas increased fourfold”

“Between 2006 and 2008, an average of 80,471 Californians moved to Texas. That was nearly twice the number of Texans moving to California, giving Texas a net gain of 37,166 Californians a year”

Dallas Morning NewsDecember 21, 2010

Population in Texas is expected to more than double between the years 2000 and 2060, growing from about 21 million to about 46 million.

Water for Texas - 2007

Funding the State Water Plan

Additional supplies needed by 2060: 8.3 million acre-feet Plans: 9.0 million acre-feet per year by 2060 Capital costs to design, construct, or implement the

recommended water management strategies ~$53 billion.

(Preliminary data for 2012 State Water Plan)

Legislative Appropriations Request FY 12-13

Additional Bonding Authority Economically Distressed Areas Program -$100 million State Water Plan Debt Service -$200 million

Texas Seawater Desalination Demonstration Project [$9.5 million grant]

Sunset Advisory Commission

Authorize the Board to issue Development Fund general obligation bonds, at its discretion, on a continuing basis, in amounts such that the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion.

The Crow and the Pitcher *

A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that

he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could

carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and

thus saved his life.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

* Aesop’s Fables

Effective steps to advance the water infrastructure agenda

1. Water planning2. Improve regulatory

environment3. Support water

research4. Education and

outreach recognition5. Effective partnerships

Effective Long-term Water PlanningExample: Regional & state water planning in Texas

Effective plans are easier to fund and implement

Improve regulatory framework

Implementing innovative water technologies Education Demonstration projects

Desalination concentrate management (Hazardous Waste)

Classification Underground injection

Professional organizations

Support water research programs

Agricultural Water Conservation

Reuse Research Agenda

GIS Tools for Water Reuse

Desalination Guidelines

Education and outreach Water conservation Alternative sources

Water reuse Water desalination Aquifer storage and

recovery Water planning

Innovative Water Technologieshelping to extend texas' water resources

Education and outreach: Recognizing excellence

Examples of desirable and replicable practices

Partnering around technology development

Water Technology Innovation Cluster [US EPA Press Release January 18, 2011] partnerships among: universities,

large corporations, emerging companies, federal government, state government, local government, and economic development associations

develop and commercialize innovative technologies to solve environmental and public health challenges, encourage sustainable economic development, and create jobs

http://www.epa.gov/wtic

Tarrant Co. Dallas Co.

Effective Regional PartnershipsExample: Tarrant Regional Water District Wetland Reuse Project*

Existing Supply:

Richland-Chambers

Cedar CreekBridgeportEagle Mtn.BenbrookArlington

Richland-Chambers

Trinity River

Cedar Creek

Current Wetland

Phase II Wetland

* Modified from APA’s McDonaldIntroduction and overview of potable reuse projects already implemented- Texas Innovative Water 2010

Our stones

1.Planning2.Improving

regulations3.Research4.Education5.Partnering

Water Science and Conservation Innovative Water Technologies

Innovative Water Technologies

To research, develop, and disseminate information to advance the development of innovative water management strategies in Texas

Jorge.arroyo@twdb.state.tx.us 512-475-3003