In recent years we have been hearing about water shortages due to multi year droughts and an overall shortage due to waste and abuse of our water sources.
Water supply Corporations and Irrigation District then have to manage their dwindling supply by implementing water restrictions. Sometimes Irrigation Districts are caught between which customers are more important.
A farmer with a 50-acre vegetable field might be more important than someone with a 5 acre pasture for livestock.
Local governments such as City and County governments keep approving colonias, subdivisions, business complexes for developers with little regard for our most precious resource that we all need for our daily living and ultimately for our ability to survive.
As local governments are looking at the benefits of a growing tax base, little regard or attention is being given to our decreasing water supply for which we depend on daily.
Our main water sources Amistad and Falcon Lakes keep getting drier and smaller in size due to the increases of demand with little help from Mother Nature or government legislation (Desalination plants, Water Reclaiming systems or water recycling).
Some states and cities require developers to install waste water systems designed to drain into holding ponds where the water is then aerated and reused watering lawns and other non-consumable uses.
As County Judge for Hidalgo County I had the opportunity to visit a 1,000 lot subdivision that had such a system and the residents were very happy due to the fact that their water bills were strictly for potable water while the treated non potable water was utilized for lawn watering, car washing and other uses without any smell or other adverse effects.
In Arizona and other western states, hotels and other large business complexes create similar systems to utilize recycled water for their lawns and gardens without affecting their Public water supply.
All local governments strive to create a safe, low cost, friendly community where their children can receive a good education while enjoying a good quality of life that we all deserve.
While business and residential developments are important for the county and the region we must ensure that we safeguard the quality of life of all residents whether we have lived here for decades or are recent transplants or immigrants.
