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WATER QUEST REPORT: Rain Buys West Texas Time
WATER QUEST REPORT: Rain Buys West Texas Time 11/1/12
Robert Guaderrama
rguaderrama@cbs7.com
November 1, 2012
PERMIAN BASIN, TX - All the rain that has fallen over west Texas has added much needed water into our lakes, lessening the severity of our water crisis. In this week's water quest, we ask experts what this means for long-term water planning. Recent rainfall has added feet of water to our lakes, enough supply that The Colorado River Municipal Water District will not have to tap into ward county well field water when the supply gets put online January 1, 2013.
"The rain was such a blessing and that 18 months of additional water supply is a tremendous benefit to the CRMWD, Midland they're able to put in their emergency supplies so they're ready for the next time," said Darrell Peckham, Water Quest, Inc.
Water Quest's Darrell Peckham says the biggest benefit is the rain has bought us critical time, needed for long term planning.
"It takes that pressure off to do something right now, this moment, long term planning requires a sustainable supply that's economically feasible and politically feasible and that really takes a significant amount of time to develop," said Peckham.
Peckham says politics play a key role in the search for water.
"It requires everybody working together which does require the politics to get permits, to build pipelines and having the time to develop those relationships so that everyone is on board is very significant to having the time as opposed to just getting whatever you can get," said Peckham.
Water Quest is taking advantage of the extra time, working with various entities to review project proposals. Peckham says the focus is finding "drought-free" water supplies such as groundwater.
"We need to continue to work toward that goal of a sustainable supply so that the water future of the Permian Basin is secure. We should remember that the next drought could be starting right now," said Peckham.
Water Quest is free-resource, available for anyone in the Permian Basin. Experts can answer your questions about water related issues and conservation. You contact Water Quest by calling (432) 580-5722.online just click here.