Bill Text: TX HR1428 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing March 26, 2015, as Texas Water Conservation Day at the State Capitol.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-22 - Reported enrolled [HR1428 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR1428-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1428 | ||
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| WHEREAS, At a time of prolonged statewide drought, the | ||
| availability and sustainability of water resources is an issue of | ||
| ever more pressing concern, especially as population growth is set | ||
| to place greater stress on water supplies in the coming years; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board has estimated that | ||
| the state's demand for water will increase by 22 percent by 2060, | ||
| from around 18 million acre-feet to 22 million acre-feet, and that | ||
| existing water supplies will decrease by about 10 percent, from | ||
| approximately 17 million acre-feet to 15.3 million acre-feet; and | ||
| WHEREAS, One of the most cost-effective solutions to this | ||
| challenge is water conservation, which includes not only the | ||
| reduction of overall demand for water but also the increased | ||
| efficiency of water systems; a poll conducted in 2014 by the Texas | ||
| Water Foundation found that close to half of respondents were aware | ||
| of the anticipated shortage, but only 30 percent felt that they were | ||
| doing everything they could to eliminate unnecessary water use; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created | ||
| in 2007 to build a repository of best conservation practices and to | ||
| report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts; | ||
| the 2010 State Water Plan projects that 8.3 million acre-feet of | ||
| additional water supply will be required by 2060, and a number of | ||
| strategies have been put forth to help lessen this deficit, | ||
| including increased energy efficiency, reservoir development, | ||
| desalination, water reuse, and smart water management; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Some regional water plans also set ambitious targets | ||
| for improvement in order to match water demand with water supply; in | ||
| addition, most cities are required by state law to prepare written | ||
| water conservation plans, and several have adopted exemplary | ||
| programs to this end; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Education about water-saving habits and practices | ||
| is key to reducing the consumption of water by consumers, | ||
| municipalities, and agricultural and industrial enterprises; | ||
| taking the lead in providing such education are the Texas Water | ||
| Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, | ||
| the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture, | ||
| the Texas Water Foundation, and the Water Conservation Advisory | ||
| Council; moreover, groundwater conservation districts, water | ||
| utilities, irrigation districts, river authorities, communities, | ||
| businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals are involved | ||
| in this vital initiative as well; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ensuring an adequate water supply for our growing | ||
| population is a goal made possible with the support of every Texas | ||
| citizen, business, and organization, and the observance of Texas | ||
| Water Conservation Day reminds us of the need to remain diligent in | ||
| our stewardship of this precious and finite resource; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize March 26, 2015, as Texas Water | ||
| Conservation Day at the State Capitol and urge all Texans to learn | ||
| more about the steps they can take to reduce water usage in their | ||
| daily lives. | ||
| Lucio III | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1428 was adopted by the House on April | ||
| 16, 2015, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
