Small desert communities are looking for ways to conserve water as their tourist and resident populations grow.
Like southern Utah and other scenic regions of the U.S. Southwest, West Texas is seeing dramatic growth as more people discover its natural beauty, relatively low-cost real estate, and cultural amenities.
This rapid growth is prompting concerns about whether the region’s water supply can keep up, writes Sarah Melotte in The Daily Yonder. “A survey conducted by Big Bend National Park showed that more than half a million people visited the park in 2022, a 12% increase since 2019, the last year the park was open full-time before the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Brewster County added 4,700 short-term rental units between 2021 and 2023, and more people are moving to the area’s rural communities seeking space and solitude. Melotte points out that rural communities tend to use less water per housing unit than urban areas. However, “For a well to be approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), it has to be able to produce 40 gallons per minute from every connection,” regardless of its location or the type of housing unit it serves.
Melotte notes that a new assistance program from the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Water Fund, seeks to help small communities manage their water resources and provide technical assistance for water conservation projects.
FULL STORY: More Folks Are Falling in Love with the West Texas Desert. Will There Be Enough Water to Sustain Them?
Virginia Data Centers Draining State’s Water Supply
Being the world’s largest data center hub is having a severe impact on local water resources.
Texas Reservoirs Reach Dangerous Lows
In some parts of the state, water officials have cut off releases that maintain estuaries and other key coastal habitats.
Lower Basin States Closer to Agreement on Colorado River
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Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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