AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Texas is facing a growing water crisis, with leaders estimating it could cost more than $170 billion to meet future demand over the next 50 years, according to a new state analysis.
The Texas Water Development Board presented the analysis last week, concluding Texas communities will need to spend $170 billion in the next 50 years.
Will Masters of Ogallala Commons said the price tag reflects a flawed approach and that spending alone will not solve the problem without widespread public involvement.
“Is throwing money a good solution? “No, no,” Masters said. “And in fact, the reason it’s such an absurd amount of money is because we’re doing it wrong.”
Masters said conservation and many smaller, local actions are the key to long-term water security, rather than large centralized projects. “The answer to our water security problem is not large consolidated mega projects. The answer is a whole bunch of small things,” Masters said. He pointed to steps such as capturing rainwater from rooftops and improving how water is retained on ranches and farms. “What matters is the amount of rain that we keep here,” he said.
In the Texas Panhandle, Masters said the region has a slight advantage because it sits over the High Plains aquifer system, but he warned it is not a permanent solution.
“We sit over the High Plains Aquifer System, which is tremendous. But that’s been depleted for longer than I’ve been alive,” Masters said, adding that irrigation has been the largest user.
Masters also said industrial developments drain the aquifer.
“I’m different because we’re not even growing anything. You know, it’s here. It’s like this big warehouse, you know, bunch of concrete and a large water draw for, like, no tangible local benefit,” he said.
Texans have until the end of May to comment on the proposal. Board officials are required to adopt it by January 2027.
Texas water crisis could cost $170B; experts say conservation is key (KVII)