Chapter 2 Regional Summaries - Texas Water Development Board

POPULATION AND WATER DEMANDS
Approximately 2 percent of the state’s total population lived in Region F in 2010, and between 2010 and 2060 its
population is projected to increase by 17 percent (Table F.1). Despite projected population growth in the region,
total water demands for the region are projected to remain relatively constant throughout the planning period.
Agricultural irrigation makes up the largest share of these demands in all decades, although it is projected to
decrease 5 percent by 2060 (Table F.1). Steam-electric generation demands are projected to have the greatest
increase (84 percent), while municipal demands are projected to increase 11 percent (Table F.1, Figure F.2).
EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES
Seventy-five percent of the region’s existing water supply in 2010 is projected to consist of groundwater from
four major aquifers (Ogallala, Edwards-Trinity [Plateau], Trinity, and Pecos Valley) and seven minor aquifers
(Table F.1, Figure F.2). Reservoirs provide 17 percent of supply and run-of-river supplies and alternative sources,
such as desalination and wastewater reuse, account for 7 percent.
NEEDS
Total regional needs are projected to increase 15 percent by 2060 (Table F.1). Irrigation is projected to have the
largest need in all decades, but decline in magnitude to 144,276 acre-feet in 2060. By 2060, municipal needs are
projected to account for 23 percent of total needs and steam-electric 9 percent (Table F.1, Figure F.2).
RECOMMENDED WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND COST
Region F recommended a variety of water management strategies to meet water supply needs (Figures F.3 and
F.4). In all, the strategies would provide 235,198 acre-feet of additional water supply by the year 2060 at a total
capital cost of $914.6 million (Appendix A). Because economically feasible strategies could not be identified,
94,108 acre-feet of irrigation needs in 15 counties and steam-electric needs of 14,935 acre-feet in three counties
are unmet in 2060.
CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Conservation strategies, including municipal and advanced irrigation, provide the largest volume of supply
for all strategies in the region. By 2060, they account for 35 percent of the total volume associated with all
recommended strategies. The bulk of conservation savings are provided by advanced irrigation strategies that
represent over 72,244 acre-feet of savings, 31 percent of the total in 2060.
SELECT MAJOR WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
• Irrigation conservation would provide up to 72,244 acre-feet per year of water starting in 2030 with a capital
cost of $69 million.
• Groundwater desalination would provide up to 16,050 acre-feet per year of water in 2060 with a capital cost
of $214 million.
• Reuse projects would provide up to 12,490 acre-feet per year of water starting in 2040 with a capital cost of
$131 million.
64
Chapter 2: region F summary
WAT E R FOR TEXAS 2012 STATE WATER PLAN