The State of Water

What's All This Fuss About Water?

Cindy Loeffler
Water Resources Branch Chief
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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"Water is the single most important factor for the future of people and wildlife in Texas, period," said Robert L. Cook, TPWD executive director. "Water is a finite resource that will only get stretched further as our population expands. There is still time now to plan for a future with enough water for people and wildlife."

The poplulation of Texas is expected to double in 50 years, with urban areas growing most rapidly. Human water needs will also increase.

Because 70% of the earth's surface is water, earth is called "the water planet;" yet only a little over 2% of that is freshwater potentially available for human use.

Cindy shows us how we can think of this as just a few drops of water compared to gallons of water.

Water on the surface of the earth, such as rivers, lakes, streams and seas, is called "surface water." Water underground, found in the water table and aquifer, is called "groundwater." Both are sources of water for humans, plants and wildlife.

Multiple strategies will be used to find sources for future water needs.