Texas Is Running Out Of Water

Another long, hot summer is coming to an end in Texas and it was a summer that showed lawmakers once again that Texas is running out of water.

The latest warning is coming from Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller who recently appeared on WFAA's Inside Texas Politics and also wrote an op-ed discussing the future of water in Texas. And Miller has a warning for Texans, we are running out of water.

Is Texas Running Out Of Water?

According to WFAA, the problem is getting worse and right now in particular, south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley is running out of water according to Commissioner Sid Miller. Miller along with some other lawmakers believe the water issue will be in the spotlight in the upcoming legislative session. WFAA reports that Miller told them in an interview that tomato production in the Rio Grande Valley is almost done and crop production overall is down 80% due to a lack of water.

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How Can Texas Solve The Water Shortage Problem?

According to Miller, the state needs to focus on recycling the water.

Miller thinks the state should prioritize capturing stormwater and reusing treated water.

Other options he includes to maximize our water resources involve improving the efficiency of irrigation and other delivery systems, increasing storage capacity and adding new reservoirs.

“We gotta recycle our water,” the commissioner said. “Our water treatment water goes into the creek, right out in the Gulf. We need to capture that and let my farmers irrigate with it.”

To “maximize every drop,” Miller says part of that would include off-channel storage, so nothing goes to waste.

According to WFAA, solving the problem will cost money and it's an expensive problem to fix. Miller also told WFAA that there are federal grants available to help with part of the problem.

Expect the issue of water to be focused on during the upcoming legislative session. It's an issue that lawmakers on both sides of aisle are concerned about.