Water management aims to safeguard supply From the cover
The conditions
Demand Existing supply Shortage Water supply, demand projections in New Braunfels
88.3K
120K
Population growth and prolonged drought continue to put a strain on water resources in Central Texas, especially Canyon Lake, one of the reservoirs in New Braunfels from which residents receive their water supply. The city of New Braunfels is home to 102,218 people, but its population is expected to double by 2040, according to population projections from the Texas Water Development Board 2026 Draft Regional Water Plan. As the population continues to rise, so does the water demand. Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Travis are among several Central Texas counties projected to require significantly more water by 2070. Much of Central Texas is in an extreme or exceptional drought. In Comal County, 108,472 people are affected by an extreme drought. In Guadalupe County, 131,533 are affected by an extreme drought, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. “I don’t see how you can talk about Canyon Lake in our community right now, without talking about the drought that goes hand in hand with it,” Nathan Pence, executive manager of environmental science for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, said during an April 22 Canyon Lake water management public meeting.
64.2K
100K
43.1K
80K
24.6K
60K
9.4K
40K
20K
2030
2040
2050
2060
2070
2080
Projected population in New Braunfels
594.91K
600K
473.91K
368.21K
400K
275.87K
199.89K
140.36K
200K
+323.86%
0
2030
2040
2050
2060
2070
2080
SOURCE: 2026 DRAFT REGIONAL WATER PLAN, COMMUNITY IMPACT
Zooming out
This year, water supply and conservation has been top of mind for state lawmakers. The 2022 state water plan estimates that demand for water in Texas will increase by 9% and existing water supplies will decline by 18% by 2070. Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, introduced Senate Bill 7 on March 13, which would expand the types of water projects eligible for state funding and prioritize financial assistance for wastewater treatment projects in small communities, as previously reported by Community Impact. District 73 Rep. Carrie Isaac, who represents New Braunfels, Canyon Lake and other parts of Comal and Hays County, also filed House Bill 5325 on April 7, which would require certain subdivi- sion plats to certify that adequate groundwater is available for the development. SB 7 was passed by the Senate in early April and heard in the House Committee at the end of April. HB 5325 has had no action, as of press time.
Projected municipal water needs by county in 2070
By 2070, several counties in Central Texas are projected to require significantly more water.
Acre-feet of water per year:
<1,000
1,000-25,000
25,000-100,000 >100,000
Williamson County
Travis County
Bastrop County
Hays County
Comal County
Bexar County
NOTE: THIS MAP DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEMANDS OF THE UPDATED PROJECTED POPULATION THAT WAS PRESENTED AT CITY COUNCIL.
N
SOURCE: TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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