Texas is prone to a wide range of natural disasters that pose significant risks to critical infrastructure, especially water systems. The state’s susceptibility to droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms threatens the ability to provide clean drinking water to millions of Texans. As climate change exacerbates extreme weather, Texas must adapt its water infrastructure to strengthen resilience.
Unique Climate Makes Texas Vulnerable
Texas has a highly variable climate with weather extremes. Much of the state is arid or semi-arid, making it vulnerable to drought. Yet the Gulf of Mexico provides abundant moisture fueling strong thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Texas averages the most tornadoes of any state, along with damaging hail storms and lightning. Occasional winter storms, including crippling ice storms, also impact the state. According to a USA Today analysis, Texas led the nation in billion-dollar disaster events from 1980 through 2021 with 27. These included hurricanes, flooding, severe storms, drought, wildfires, and winter storms. This variable and extreme climate poses challenges for water infrastructure.
Drought is a top concern. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, drought affected 64% of Texas in June 2022. The state suffered its worst droughts on record in the 1950s and 2011-2012. Drought decreases water supply as reservoirs and aquifers are drawn down. Lower water levels also concentrate contaminants, increasing treatment requirements. Hotter temperatures due to climate change will worsen drought impacts.
Conversely, heavy rain from hurricanes and severe storms causes flooding. Hurricane Harvey dumped 60 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas in 2017. Flooding overwhelmed reservoirs and treatment plants. Over 240 public water systems issued notices to boil water and over 30 systems lost pressure and issued do not use advisories. Flooding damaged equipment and infrastructure.
Winter storms pose multiple threats. Extended freezing can rupture exposed pipes and disable equipment. Losing power impairs pumping and treatment capabilities. The February 2021 Texas freeze left millions without water for days after power outages. Breaks in the water distribution system were widespread.
This extreme variability, from drought to flood, strains Texas water infrastructure. Systems must be resilient across this spectrum of conditions.
Water Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
Several factors make Texas water infrastructure vulnerable to natural disasters:
- Reliance on surface water supplies impacted by drought and flooding
- Small communities dependent on single water sources without redundancy
- Aging equipment and lack of resources in small utilities
- Above ground distribution systems susceptible to physical damage and freezing
- Rapid population growth straining capacity
Many larger cities can shift between sources, but transfers take time. And if all sources are compromised, like during widespread freezing, massive outages still occur.
| Type of Utility | Percent of Texas Public Water Systems |
|---|---|
| Serve 500 or less | 4,005 |
| Serve 501 to 3,300 | 593 |
| Serve 3,301 to 10,000 | 73 |
| Serve 10,001 to 100,000 | 37 |
| Serve greater than 100,000 | 10 |
Most public water systems in Texas serve small populations and lack resources to ensure resilience.
Efforts to Improve Resilience
After major disasters, Texas has taken steps to hedge against future events. For example, following the extreme 2011 drought, new reservoir projects were approved to increase storage. And the state recently made $7 billion available in low interest loans for conservation and supply projects.
Many utilities have added backup power capabilities and portable generators to keep pumping and treatment going when energy supplies are interrupted. Insulating exposed pipes or burying distribution lines improves winter resiliency. Interconnecting with neighboring systems provides redundancy if one utility’s sources are disrupted.
Some regions are diversifying water portfolios. San Antonio now relies on a mix of groundwater, surface water, recycled water, and desalination for greater reliability. Large cities are also promoting conservation to ease pressure on supplies.
The state offers training exercises and mutual aid programs to assist smaller utilities during emergencies. Agencies conduct vulnerability assessments and publish best practice manuals on hazard mitigation. Monitoring and early warning systems allow utilities to prepare for threats like hurricanes.
In any emergency situation, always consult your local emergency services for reliable information and advice.
Ultimately, Texas faces formidable challenges securing its water supplies and infrastructure against worsening natural disasters. But targeted investments combined with innovative management strategies can help build resilience while meeting the demands of dramatic growth. Expanding diversity of both water sources and energy supplies is crucial. Regional cooperation and consolidation of smaller systems could improve reliability and redundancy. Ongoing conservation and public education are also key. Texas has demonstrated resilience in recovering after catastrophes, but adapting its water systems to be less vulnerable in the first place remains an urgent priority. With its can-do attitude and wealth of resources, Texas has the capacity to become a model for water security in the age of climate change extremes.
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