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
After a year of contentious negotiations, Western states dependent on the river’s water supply are nearing a deal that would reduce water use significantly over the next three years.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service