Growing up in West Texas, one learns to appreciate water. The area in which I was raised is one of the prime agricultural areas of the state -- thanks to the Ogallala Acquifer. If it wasn't for that acquifer, it would be a dry place indeed.
The demands for good, clean drinking water are increasing as populations grow. Not only is that water needed for drinking, it is needed for agriculture. The world cannot feed itself without irrigation. Developing and maintaining our water resources is crucial to our survival.
There are water deficit areas and water surplus areas throughout the world. It would be great if we could pipe water from the surplus areas to the deficit areas. The problem is, water runs downhill but has to be pumped up hill. Most surplus areas are at lower elevations while deficit areas are at the higher ones.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to take water from deficit areas -- such as the Texas Panhandle -- and send it downhill to Dallas. Especially when it draws from an acquifer that is already being slowly depleted by its primary user -- agriculture.
Perhaps it is time for Texas to take a hard look at the state's overall water situation and develop a plan for the future. If we don't, we may severly handicap our children and grandchildren by our failure.
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