'Water for Texas - 2002' book details state's water availability, population

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

July 25, 2002 -- An informational source of the state's groundwater availability is found in the "Water for Texas - 2002" book published by the Texas Water Development Board. Just a few of the statistics listed in the book are:

• "Total current groundwater availability, as assessed by the TWDB's Planning Groups, is about 14.98 million acre feet per year (AFY). This availability decreases to 13.1 million AFY by 2050 because of projected decreases in availability in the Ogallala, Gulf Coast, Hueco-Mesilla Bolson, and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers." The Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer is one of the four included in the region's groundwater management area.

• "By 2050, almost 900 cities and other water users will need either to reduce demand (through conservation and/or drought management) or develop additional sources of water beyond those currently available to meet their needs during drought."

• "Groundwater is and will continue to be a major source of water for Texas."

• "TWDB continues to maintain that groundwater management in Texas is best accomplished through local groundwater conservation districts. Further, these districts should be constituted considering both hydrology and the availability of sufficient financial resources to accomplish key management tasks while recognizing existing local governmental entities and mutual local agreements."

The book also cites water supply projections, identification of needs, recommended water management strategies, and lists of figures and statistics.

A spokesperson in the TWDB office in Austin said the book is available, in its entirety, online at www.twdb.state.tx.us. "We're trying to save a few trees (the book is 156 pages), but if someone does not have access to a computer and the Internet, they can contact us about receiving one." Their phone number is 512-463-7847.