Water Conservation

“Water is a finite resource that requires careful and proactive management: the era of plentiful and inexpensive water is ending. Water conservation, sound management strategies, and adequate investment in a range of solutions are essential to meet the water demands of Texas' growing population, while protecting our natural resources” (TWDB). Below are a few links that provide useful information on water conservation.

TWDB Water Conservation Division:

http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation//consindex.asp

The Subsidence District Water Conservation Matters:

http://www.hgsubsidence.org/conservation/index.html

Practicing Good Water-Use Habits:

http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/ConservationPublications/Indoors_2008.pdf

Subsidence

 

Subsidence is the sinking of the land surface due to withdrawal of groundwater. As we remove the water from the clay formations in the subsurface, this allows the clays to compact under the weight of the overlaying formations, resulting in a reduction of the surface elevations. Subsidence can result in increase flooding and damage to drainage systems and other man-made structures. Additional information on subsidence can be found in the following links.

http://www.hgsubsidence.org/about/subsidence/measure.html

http://www.hgsubsidence.org/about/subsidence/index.html

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and storing of rainwater for later use in landscaping and for other purposes, including drinking water. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses or from specially prepared areas of ground, can make an important contribution to drinking water. Information on rainwater harvesting can be found in the following links.

http://lonestargcd.org/pdf/rainwaterharvesting.pdf

http://lonestargcd.org/docs/collect_rainfall.doc

http://www.reduceyouruse.com/education/use_water_wisely/pdf/rainwater%20harvesting%20new.pdf

http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/search/search.htm?cx=014195088442408439702%3A3aoetwdcnzs&cof=FORID%3A11&q=rainwater+harvesting&sa=Search

Brush Control

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimated that brush in Texas uses over 3.5 trillion gallons of water annually. Control of brush presents a viable option for increasing the availability of water allowing the state to meet its future needs. Some additional information on brush control can be found at:

http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/ConservationPublications/Outdoor_2008.pdf

http://www.tsswcb.state.tx.us/en/brushcontrol

Recharge

Artificial recharge is a process by which excess surface water, or previously used water, is directed into the ground to replenish an aquifer. When water is proactively returned to the ground and put into storage, it helps to ensure a sustainable groundwater supply. The following links have some project information regarding groundwater recharge.

http://www.bigbearwatersolutions.org/nationwide_groundwater_recharge.htm

http://watercenter.unl.edu/WRRI/WaterResearch/HarveyRecharge.pdf

Precipitation Enhancement

Precipitation enhancement or “cloud seeding,” artificially stimulates clouds to produce rainfall by injecting substances into the clouds to enable raindrops to form more easily. Following are two links that discuss precipitation enhancement.

http://edwardsaquifer.org/pages/research_precip.htm

http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/docs/cwpu2005/vol2/v2ch14.pdf