In February, the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute released its Texas Land Trends 2022 Landowner Survey to learn more about daily land management. Now, the NRI would like to hear from Texas landowners again — this time, about water.
Over 191,000 miles of waterways and aquifers can be found in Texas, providing the state’s residents with water for consumption, household and recreational uses, commercial and agricultural operations and more. However, booming growth and tourism across the state has made it more difficult for certain communities (including Dripping Springs) to maintain access to the amount of water they require. The Texas Water Survey was developed to determine the daily use and management of water resources across Texas, in addition to challenges, concerns and water recreation experiences.
“Despite the apparent abundance of water resources, our state’s population continues to increase at a staggering rate, and with it, so do the demands on water,” said Angelica Lopez, Ph.D., NRI research scientist. “Our health, well-being, safety and recreational opportunities depend on healthy, accessible and affordable water sources, as does the Texas economy.”
The NRI is looking for responses from:
Water users — Texas residents who use water sources, such as public or private utility water, groundwater, rivers, streams or lakes
Water providers — private or public water utility employees, water distributors, groundwater conservation districts or other types of water providers
Community leaders — elected or non-elected officials, community advocates, county commissioners, mayors, socia workers, health professionals, educators, water planners, Texas Water Development Board regiona water planning groups or river authorities
Other water professionals — water utility workers, Texas Commission fo Environmental Quality professionals, plumbers and groundwater well drillers
The voluntary survey is anonymous and confidential, and the collected responses will only be presented in aggregate form with averages and totals. It consists of 55 questions and is expected to take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Anyone who completes the survey can enter a raffle to win one of 15 Yeti Texas Land Trends tumblers.
Survey results will be shared with water professionals and community leaders to provide decision-makers with input from Texans and ways to recommend and develop programs, informational materials and technical guidance.
To take the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/ P2HZ2XQ.