Perry says Texas needs to fund water plan

San Antonio Business Journal

Gov. Rick Perry said the state needs to fund the State Water Plan to ensure a reliable supply of water for Texas’ growing population and proposed allocating $260 million to a special water infrastructure fund.

Perry spoke Feb. 26 at the Texas Water Conservation Association Conference and proposed that funding be provided to a new infrastructure account to speed construction of water reservoir sites.

Allocating $260 million into an infrastructure account would utilize principal and interest to help accelerate the acquisition and construction of 16 reservoir sites across the state designated by the state plan.

Speeding up the acquisition and construction of these sites would provide cost-effective and reliable surface water supplies for municipal and industrial users, steam electric power generation and other purposes.

“The issues that surround our need for water demand frank conversations, visionary planning and tough choices,” Perry said.

The 2007 Texas State Water Plan projects that water demand will increase 18 percent over the next 50 years from 18.3 million acre-feet per year in 2010 to 21.6 million acre-feet per year in 2060. One acre foot is equivalent to 325,851 gallons of water. During that time, the Texas population is projected to double, reaching up to 46 million residents.

The Legislature approved a comprehensive water plan for the state in 2001, but has never funded it.

Perry also reiterated the need to clarify state eminent domain laws, which will become an important issue as the state creates new reservoirs.