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More Important Than Oil
By: Alan Nelson Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012 12:03 am
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Supply and demand. The supply of water continues to dwindle. The demand increases.
We’ve understood that at least five decades. When I was a kid in Snyder, the dwindling water table was something so inculcated within the local culture that I worried about water, or lack of water, by the time I was five years old.
The population of Texas then was less than half than it is now. We knew then there wasn’t enough water. However, we subscribed to the mantra that science and economic demand will create solutions. We still subscribe to that mantra.
Now, I see that Snyder is worried that it will run out of water in three months. Lake J.B. Thomas was never a huge reservoir of water, even when I was a kid. If I recall correctly, the lake never has exceeded 37 percent of its capacity, a peak it reached 20 years ago. When I checked the level at the time of this writing, it was at 1.37 percent capacity.
Because of the water shortage in West Texas, Big Spring is building a treatment plant that will shuttle treated sewage (called raw water) into the water system for Snyder, Big Spring, Odessa and Midland.
It’s not just West Texas. The strain of drought and population press the entire state.
Other wells are running out. The Lower Colorado River Authority announced the water well used by 1,100 residents of Spicewood Beach (near Austin) will run out of water in a few days. The announcement was just before some major storms came through, so hopefully the wells will be recharged a bit.
And now the Brazos River Authority, to the opposition of farmers, landowners and Dow Chemical, wants rights to all the water in the Brazos. The timing, of course, has thrown the weight of the worst drought in this modern state’s history behind it. Two administrative law judges believe the application should be denied. The TCEQ wants approval.
In 50 years, Texas’ population will double again, barring major catastrophe, upheaval or radical lifestyle or legal changes. Assuming we still drink water, from where will next drink come? Supply diminishes. Demand grows. Science examines and experiments. The race continues.
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The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: Aquarena Springs makes way for restoration of Spring Lake; Two Austin companies raise a combined $15.6 million; For Sale: Major Player in Fight Against Coal Company Bows Out; The Practice Piano That Made Van Cliburn Perfect; H-E-B shelved route as logistics costs rose; Did Amazon deal to settle dispute over taxes mess with Texas law?; Animal chiropractor stakes claim in DFW; Three Texas winemakers open 4.0 Cellars; Carroll Shelby, Car Builder Who Added Muscle to American Racing, Dies at 89; American Airlines Considers Change in Oldest Jet Livery; British rocker Phil Collins touring Texas to talk about Alamo book; All-Terrain Vehicle Company Moves To Sherman; American Airlines to overhaul premium seats; Dallas-based Hilltop to acquire PlainsCapital; The frequent fliers who flew too much; Hawker Beechcraft announces first flight of 400 XPR in Texas; Rumor: New Microsoft Xbox Console Being Manufactured in Texas; Company asks court to reinstate $459 million judgment;Company named for Green Ridge street eyes bid for Avon; Dallas Museum Simmers in a Neighbor’s Glare; Dallas pipeline company set to acquire Sunoco; Northwest Texas Suing Insurance Company for Millions Austin pair planning to offer barbecue, country music to international fans of F1; State’s largest fishery, near Wichita Falls, can’t raise fish without water; Trampoline sports park coming to Frisco; Bloomingdale’s Outlet opens at the Shops at Park Lane; Knapp Medical Center sale halted; Source: North Texas, UT-San Antonio To Conference USA; West Texas Wildfires Burn Again; Texas Business School Teaching Door-to-Door Sales; Firms at War Over $10 Million Contingent Fee in Patent Suit; Lubbock pet store set to leave mall after 40 years; owner blames animal rights intervention; Title fight fallout: El Paso's reputation sullied after boxing snub; Calpine to add 550 MW in Texas as reserve shrinks; Amazon, State Settle Sales Tax Fight by Ross Ramsey; Texas Army Bases Go Green, but Challenges Remain; Latham & Watkins to Represent UT in Racial Preference Case; Experts: State universities can do better at turning research into revenue; El Paso officials denounce Chavez-Lee fight cancellation, damage to city's reputation; Hobby lobby: Dueling airlines' political operations take off; Dog Food Manufacturing Plant, Jobs Coming To Brownwood; Igloo sees boost from innovation; Larry McMurtry is planning a Texas-sized book auction; Texas running low on college educated workers; Former players file concussion law suit against NFL; and more. Full Story » |
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