The details
Director of Public Works Alonzo Liñán said staff recommended the changes to be in alignment with the City of Fort Worth’s water conservation efforts.
“[Keller] doesn’t produce it’s own water,” Liñán said. “We buy it from the City of Fort Worth. As such, we’re under contractual obligation to follow their lead when it comes to water conservation.”
Liñán said Keller’s enforcement concerning water conservation policies need to be as restrictive as Fort Worth’s enforcement efforts. He added the changes address section 19-1605 of the city’s water conservation plan, which will encompass other water systems besides just lawn and landscaping irrigation restrictions.
A closer look
Liñán cited a couple recent examples of significant water loss that resulted in thousands of gallons of water being wasted. They included:
- A faulty hose bib that leaked for 22 days, resulting in between 2,000 and 3,000 gallons per day of water lost
- A faulty automatic pool valve that leaked for 93 days, resulting in between 800 and 900 gallons per day of water lost
Modifications to section 19-1605 include changing the title of the section from “Lawn & Landscape Irrigation Restrictions” to “Irrigation & Water System Requirements.” The text of the section now reflects broader watering systems beyond simply irrigation and includes the following:
- “A person commits an offense if, on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person, a person operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system, a pool system, or private plumbing system, or a fire/fire protection system or device that has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.”
“We are still seeking compliance over citation and education over enforcement,” Liñán said.
Zooming out
A continuing population boom, combined with aging water infrastructure, has put unrelenting stress on the state's water supply.
On May 26, Texas House lawmakers initially approved on a bill aimed at ensuring the state’s water systems can withstand continued population growth, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Senate Bill 7 would help communities create new water supplies and repair aging water systems alongside House Joint Resolution 7, a proposed constitutional amendment. State senators unanimously approved the constitutional amendment, which would create a dedicated funding stream for water supply projects, on May 27.
“Each of our districts have their own water infrastructure challenges. ... The perpetuation of Texas' economic miracle depends on the reliability of our water infrastructure,” Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, said on the House floor May 26.
Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican who authored SB 7, said in January that water, energy and transportation make up a “three-legged stool” of Texas’ top infrastructure needs.
New water supply projects take decades to complete, Perry said in March, noting that “just because the money's available doesn't mean we're going to solve [the problem] tomorrow.”
“Farmers are already running out of water,” Perry said. “The state’s only sugar mill closed last year due to water scarcity. Cotton, grain and rice growers in several regions of our state are planning on less production each year. ... [Manufacturing] site selectors are debating whether Texas will have enough water if they come to build their factories.”
Since 2021, several Texas cities, including Dripping Springs, Conroe and Magnolia, have paused new development for a temporary period to prevent water shortages.
The Texas Water Development Board’s state water plan estimates about 51.5 million people will live in Texas by 2070, up from 31.3 million today. In that period, demand for water is expected to increase by 9% and existing water supplies are projected to decline by 18%, according to the plan.
