The document discusses the history of drought in Texas, noting that paleoclimatological evidence shows megadroughts have occurred in Texas lasting 20-40 years. It provides examples of droughts impacting Native Americans, Spanish explorers, early Texas settlers, the Civil War era, and throughout the 20th century. The most severe recent drought was in the 1950s, but the late 1980s drought was also particularly damaging, costing nearly $40 billion.

1. Fall 2011
NFBWA BOARD OF NFBWA DELIVERS WATER AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
DIRECTORS North Fort Bend Water Authority (“NFBWA” or “Authority”) has delivered its
first surface water to utility districts in northeast Fort Bend County more than two
David Spell, years ahead of its mandate from the Fort Bend Subsidence District.
Precinct 1 Engineers opened a valve March 7 to connect Fort Bend County Munici-
pal Utility District (“MUD”) 2 to water from the D-158 water plant, purchased
Robert Darden, from the City of Houston. Water delivery to Kingsbridge MUD (which also
Precinct 2 supplies Fort Bend Fresh Water Supply District 2) followed later this spring.
North Mission Glen MUD received water in May, Fort Bend MUD 41 and
Bruce Fay, Fort Bend MUD 119 in June, and Big Oaks MUD in October. The Authority
Precinct 3 expects to deliver water to FBC MUD 134A, 134B and 134C next month.
By beginning the important conversion earlier than required, the Authority
Melony F. Gay, P.E., earns valuable “early conversion credits”that can be applied toward meeting future
Precinct 4 conversion goals.
The Authority - which encompasses 61 utility districts and the city of Fulshear –
Robert L. Patton, is under mandate from the Fort Bend Subsidence District to reduce its dependence
Precinct 5 on groundwater 30 percent by 2013. Over-pumping of groundwater is respon-
sible for subsidence across the region, which can cause flooding and foundation
Peter Houghton, problems, and can permanently impact the aquifer as well. Under the Fort Bend
Precinct 6 Subsidence District’s mandate, alternate water supplies must replace a percent-
age of the groundwater now pumped by 140 permitted wells within Authority
Pat Hebert, boundaries. Reducing groundwater 30 percent means replacing roughly 11 mil-
Precinct 7 lion gallons per day (MGD) of groundwater with an alternate water supply.
Authority engineer Melinda Silva,
of Brown and Gay Engineers, says
conversion credits, which are measured
in thousands of gallons, serve as an
“insurance policy” that can protect the
Authority against unforeseen service
interruptions or delays. The Author-
ity’s goal is to have half a year’s worth
of conversion credits, she said.
Conversion to surface water is a
massive and expensive undertaking.
In little more than a year’s time, the
Authority has installed approximately
Find and fix leaks 137,000 linear feet or nearly 26 miles
to save water of water line to connect the MUDs
and money! of north Fort Bend County with the
Continued on page 12
NORTH FORT BEND WATER AUTHORITY  www.nfbwa.com
c/o Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP  3200 Southwest Freeway,  Suite 2600  Houston, Texas 77027

2. The Truth About Turf and Water Use...
Lawns don’t waste water...people do!
As recently as a decade ago, how many of us would have thought
we’d need to worry if we’d have enough water to keep up our lawns and
landscape areas? This is Texas, isn’t it? Surely there’s enough water to go
around? Perhaps not in years ahead, however, if you take a close look at
the Texas Water Development Board’s State Water Plan. In fact, reading
it is enough to make you concerned - very concerned - about having
adequate water supplies for our children and grandchildren by 2050.
Forty years...seems like an eternity away, doesn’t it? It can
take at least that long to realize the benefits of long-range plans
“The bottom line when it comes to water infrastructure. Consider, for example, what
would have happened if the City of Houston’s visionary planners
is that people in the 1950’s hadn’t been as forward looking as they were to build
reservoirs and lakes. We most certainly would not be in as good a
need to know position as we are today relative to current water supplies. Thanks
to their foresight, we’re able to rely on both ground and surface
water to help meet the needs of our growing population.
more about So, back to the water problems at hand. Is it time to forfeit
dreams of the coveted Yard of the Month award? To take on the
which turfgrass homeowners association, strip the grass out of your front yard and
maybe fill in with rocks and cactus? Don’t go to those extremes just
they plant and yet. There may be a more positive alternate direction for you to
consider. Fortunately, the folks at Texas A&M University Department
of Soil and Crop Sciences have been working on this scenario for
how to care quite some time and can offer some real assistance - not only with
new turfgrass products with great survivability properties, but by
for it in the providing excellent information and education on the topic, as well.
According to Dr. David Chalmers, Texas AgriLife Extension
long-term.” professor and co-author (with Dr. James McAfee) of Turfgrass
Selection for Texas and Turfgrass Establishment for Texas, “The
bottom line is that people need to know more about which
turfgrass they plant and how to care for it in the long-term.”
Dr. Richard White, also a TAMU Professor, mentioned that
a survey of some 800 residents revealed that when it came to water
usage, 25 percent of the respondents used 50 percent of the available
drinking water. About 90 percent did not know how much water they
2

3. consumed each month...yet 85 Studies over the years
percent considered themselves have shown that the real key to
to be “efficient irrigators.” survivability in a severe drought is
That’s a pretty big disconnect; the depth of the soil. One study,
but wait, there’s more. sponsored by the Turfgrasses
Water consumption by Producers of Texas and San
the group surveyed increased by Antonio Water System, compared
as much as 400 percent during the results when planting 25
the summer months because of different varieties of turfgrasses in
lawn and landscape watering. an agricultural native soil that was
“By initiating some simple, more 16-18 inches deep to the same
efficient watering practices the 25 varieties planted in soil with 4
group could have realized a inches of topsoil. In both years
savings of 24 to 34 million gallons of the study (2006 and 2007)
of water a year!” White explained. the first group – deep soil – all
So, what are those varieties survived 60 days without
simple practices that will save water. In the second group – with
that much water, and how do rate when it is available in the soil. 4-inches of topsoil – none of the
we implement them? Much of the grasses’ persistence grass survived. Pretty convincing,
First, let’s accept the and survival if water is restricted,” huh?
assumption that lawns don’t waste he pointed out, “depends on their
water, people do. The tried and drought tolerance – or being
true recipe for growing healthy able to survive without rainfall
grass while saving water is tied or irrigation. The better able a
to selecting the right grass for the turfgrass variety is to adapt to
location, having really good soil, the realities of a Texas summer,
and understanding exactly how the better equipped it will be
to take care of it. At the heart to ultimately survive.”
of the recipe is knowing when The soil is the fundamental Chalmers says it isn’t even
and how much to water! component for growing a healthy necessary to have 16 plus inches
In Texas, more than lawn no matter which grass is of soil...that 10 to 12 will do nicely.
half the lawns are planted with selected. “It is more than just One of his concerns, however, is
St. Augustine grass, which which turfgrass the resident what happens when new homes
many believe is especially decides to put in place,” the are built and the soil is compacted
“thirsty.” That might be a professor explained, “but which by all the heavy equipment that
bad rap, says Dr. Chalmers. soil they have, how deep it is, and travels over the ground.
“All grasses use about the how appropriate it is in which to “When you pit heavy
same amount of water at the same grow their choice of grass.” construction vehicles against a
Continued on page 4
3

4. productive soil...the vehicles win about 0.09 inches per hour...
every time. It is critical to put the not very fast. Irrigation systems,
soil back the way it was. Plants on the other hand, may apply
can’t do the remediation on their water at a rate of 0.25 to 1.5
own,” says Chalmers. “They have inches per hour or more.
to have good, noncompacted So...here’s the bottom
soil in which to grow. The best line...for efficiency, the irrigation
scenario for growing grass is controller should be set to apply
having the deep soil well aerated half...and still have great looking only about 0.10 inch of water at
through the root zone. When lawns! He says that there are a time. Applying water faster
that’s the case, the grass can many variables to consider about than a soil can absorb in one
go longer between irrigations, how much to water. setting results in water moving
gradually go dor mant if no Consider this conundrum: across the soil surface, running
water is available, and persist rain gauges measure rainfall in into the gutter, and down the
longer through a drought.” inches; irrigation recommen- storm drain. Setting irrigation
Another important main- dations – in the absence of rainfall to repeat this type of cycle
tenance tip in dry times is to cut – are usually stated in inches; every few hours allows water
the grass on the “taller side” but customers are billed for to move into the soil.
of the recommended mowing water use by gallons. Irrigation Try this approach...stop
height range – no scalping. A controllers or hose and sprinklers training your grass to be a water
more generous height will help are usually set to water for a hog...and then allow enough
maintain a dense canopy, and certain number of minutes. The time to give the grass a chance
provide for optimum root growth challenge is to find the common to adjust to the new water “diet”.
and development, he said. denominator – to figure out how The results will be deeper roots
“Some people just can’t to get the irrigation system to and longer survivability - just the
stand to see their grass experience apply the correct amount of results you had in mind!
any ‘stress’ at all, and turn on the water by relating both minutes There is a wealth of
water at the first sign that the and inches of water to the gallons information about this topic on
grass starts to wilt. Here we come that will be consumed in the the TAMU website – go for a
to the most critical factor in having process. Piece of cake. visit but be prepared to explore
a healthy lawn...when do you Actually, if you know a it for hours! http://twri.tamu.
water it...and how much?” few simple facts, it isn’t all that edu/publications/txh2o/
Fortunately, this topic is difficult. First, throw out the “inch summer-2011. 
right down Professor Chalmers’ of water a week” advice. That Source: Portions of this article are
alley. Let’s start with the assertion may – or may not – prove to be from txH2O Volume 6, number 3,
that most homeowners could the formula that will work for your Summer 2011, a publication of the
reduce the amount of irrigation lawn. Here’s a clue: water moves Texas Water Resources Institute,
water they apply to their lawns by into most clay soils at a rate of and are included with permission.
4

5. It has now been almost a year since years), cores of sediments of sand dunes and
we’ve had any appreciable rainfall...a few lakes, and archeological remains. This proxy
showers now and then, but not the gentle, climate data, as it is called, can also be extended
soaking relief that we so desperately need. by written historical documents such as newspaper
“Who would ever think that Texans would accounts and personal diaries and family records.
be hoping for a hurricane or tropical storm?” During medieval times, for example, it
folks are asking, shaking their heads in disbelief. appears that Texas endured several megadroughts
Seeing clouds gather in the afternoon...the in the 1100’s and 1200’s; and another struck
clouds that used to promise a shower or two... in the last half of the 16th century. Slightly earlier,
now just get our hopes up. Climatologists tell us when Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca arrived in
that this isn’t over yet – not by a long shot. Texas in the 1530’s, he
As devastating and destructive as this current encountered a population
drought is – with its relentless, blistering temperatures, of Native American
wildfires and the loss of billions of dollars in crops – farmers near the site
Texas is no stranger to this climate phenomenon. of present-day Presidio,
In fact, paleoclimatologists have found that where it had not rained
megadroughts, at least as bad as the 1950’s drought for at least two years.
of record, have occurred numerous times over He was treated as a god
the centuries – some lasting 20 to 40 years. by the Indians, and they
Paleoclimatology is the study of past climate. entreated him to “tell the
The word comes from the Greek root paleo-, or sky to rain.” There is no
ancient...and the term “climate”, meaning weather record of whether or not
Cabeza de Vaca
conditions over a period of time, usually decades. he succeeded.
Paleoclimate, therefore, is the climate that existed Droughts also occurred during Revolutionary
before scientists began collecting weather data, such War times – where tree rings reveal several extended
as temperature, precipitation, wind speeds, etc. periods of drought around the time when the Roanoke
These scientists reconstruct historical conditions, colonists (1587) disappeared, and when settlers
such as drought, from data that is preserved in were trying to establish Jamestown (1607). These
tree-rings (which can extend back 300 – 1000 droughts were extreme and lasted between three and
5

6. six years; unusual for that region of North America. Since then, several shorter and less severe
Stephen F. Austin’s early settlement was droughts occurred in the 1970’s, usually ended by
impacted by drought, as well. In 1822, the colony’s Tropical Storms. There was, however, a massive heat
initial corn crop dried in the fields from lack of water. wave in the early 1980’s that was soon accompanied
Drought struck again by a blistering drought over much of Texas.
around the time of the The late 1980’s saw a three-year drought
Civil War in the 1860’s. that was remarkable on several accounts: first, not
After the state opened new only was it the costliest in U.S. history, but it was
land for immigrant farmers also the most expensive natural disaster of any kind
in 1883, one of the worst to affect the U.S. at that time – with losses in energy,
droughts in Texas history water, ecosystems and agriculture totaling almost $40
occurred in 1884-86, billion. It was during the summer of 1988 that massive
forcing most of the settlers forest fires burned across western North American,
to abandon their new including the catastrophic Yellowstone fire.
homes, as they were unable to endure the lack of
rain. This drought also had a negative impact on the
already waning cattle drives, as the herds of longhorns
were forced to travel over increasingly dry territory
only to find traditional water holes dried up.
Historical records indicate that there has
been at least one serious drought in some part of
Texas during every decade of the twentieth century.
The most catastrophic one occurred during the first
two thirds of the 1950s in every part of the state.
It began during the spring of 1949 in the lower
valley...moved to affect the western parts of the
state by the fall...and covered virtually all of Texas In 2009, drought gradually crept across
by the summer of 1951. The drought lasted until the state, with 88 percent of Texas experiencing
a slow soaking rain abruptly ended it in the spring abnormally dry conditions and 18 percent of the
of 1956, but only after water shortages had reached state in either extreme or exceptional drought
critical stages with lakes, rivers and streams drying up conditions. While the widespread lack of rain was no
completely. Two hundred forty four of the state’s 254 laughing matter, folks still tried to maintain a sense
counties were declared federal disaster areas. of humor. Farmers were asking each other, “Heard
the one about the Texas farmer whose land was
so dry, his cow was giving powdered milk?”
In this case, a La Nina weather pattern settling
over the central Pacific Ocean was behind the drought
conditions, as it brought the likelihood of below
normal rainfall and above normal temperatures.
Water providers agree that water conservation
is the right thing to do. With the drought today,
however, water conservation may be the only thing
we can do. With that in mind, water suppliers are
asking everyone to do what they can to use water
efficiently to help stretch this precious resource. 
6

7. pipes and waterlines; causing the
pipes to sag and crack. There
have been reports of hundreds of
system breaks in Houston’s clay-
At the beginning of ($750 million). like soil – as many as 700 water
S e p t e m b e r, 2 0 1 1 , m o r e Breaking Old Records... line breaks a day – that make
than 95 percent of the state Setting New Ones! it difficult to maintain pressure.
was experiencing critical or Robert Mace, Texas Water Austin is also experiencing twice
exceptional drought conditions, Development Board Groundwater the number of pipe breaks this
with our own area in the Resources Director, says we have year. Repairing broken pipes,
“exceptional drought” category. the “perfect storm” in Texas – it which must be dug up from under-
Climatologists are calling this the continues to be too hot, too dry ground, is hugely expensive –
worst drought in more than four and too windy. He points out that up to $350 per foot.
decades. Devastating wildfires it has gotten hotter in Texas, and With usage during the
have made headlines across the says we’re back up to temperatures drought hitting all-time highs,
state, while drought conditions like those experienced during water -- racing through older,
have hit agriculture and livestock the Dust Bowl and drought worn out pipes -- bursts through
especially hard, with recreation during the 1950’s. spots where the soil has fallen
and the environment suffering, Houston received approxi- away. The combination of these
too. mately 1.5 inches of rain between and other drought and high
A c c o r d i n g t o To d d February and April; that’s about temperature-related factors
Staples, Texas Agriculture what the Sahara Desert might are stressing even the best of
Commissioner, droughts are receive during the same period. systems...with little relief in sight.
“unplanned, unexpected, According to Rep. Bill Callegari, In Houston, adding insult
unwelcome natural disasters.” R-Katy, “Water supply issues are to injury is the plague of fleas and
He explains that this bigger than just the drought.” He the potentially deadly introduction
drought is destroying crops, and warns that “needed infrastructure of the West Nile Virus, brought
forcing ranchers to sell their repairs could be the Achilles Heel by mosquitoes being infected by
livestock – unless they can afford of the Texas economic miracle.” birds that carry the disease.
to buy hay from as far away as State leaders have We can each do something!
South Dakota – because the identified at least $53 billion in Residents don’t have
state’s hay crop is virtually non- investments needed to repair and to wait until official drought
existent. He says that the state has expand the state’s aging water restrictions go into effect, however,
experienced at least $5.2 billion infrastructure and $142 billion in to think about initiating their own
in losses – that’s a conservative capital costs for water treatment water conservation measures.
estimate – and the toll is still and distribution projects — just It is just common sense to use
rising. That number only covers to keep pace with an anticipated water more efficiently and avoid
livestock losses ($2+ billion), doubling in population by the wasting it down a drain. These
cotton ($1.8 billion), and lost hay year 2050. Texas hasn’t opened current conditions are a “wake up
a major new water reservoir since call,” reminding us that we take
1987 although many more are adequate supplies of precious
needed to be able to sustain the water for granted! Sadly, much of
state’s economic growth. the water “consumed” every day
One of the casualties of is wasted through well-meaning
drought is the impact on the soil but careless behavior. No one
and everything in it. The ground wakes up and says, “I think I’ll
dries out so much that the soil waste some water today!” But it
shrinks, leaving gaps around happens, nonetheless.
7 Continued on page 8

8. There are actions that you checked the settings on your spraying – strength and leave it on
can be taken to help minimize irrigation system controller? until an 8-inch screwdriver goes
the impact of prolonged periods Maintaining healthy, attractive easily into the earth to a depth of
without rain. Conservation now lawns and landscape areas 6-8 inches where the water has
could help stretch precious requires much less water than been applied. This “test” will help
resources for the months ahead. you think. In fact, you can easily you determine how long to leave
Water efficiencies are get by on one – maximum two it on and can program your timer
possible at both the residential waterings a week (if it doesn’t to do this deep watering once a
and commercial levels. End- rain and if the grass needs it). week.
users can examine how water This will help the turf grow deep Water deeply
is used in the home or facility, roots and not be as “thirsty” For trees older than 3
inventory water-using appliances during dry periods. years that are not planted alone,
or equipment, examine the habits It is also important to set use the garden hose about once
of individual water users, and the system to complete watering a week. Placing the hose midway
make any needed repairs or cycles before 4 am, which cuts between the trunk and the edge
modifications. The blueprint down on evaporation loss and of the canopy and roots, water
for creating a water budget and doesn’t interfere with weekday slowly and deeply, avoiding any
increasing water conservation morning “water rush hours,” runoff. Move the hose around
lie in these basic steps. when families need water for the tree until every quadrant has
Meanwhile, here are a starting the day. been soaked. Do this about once
few timely and specific tips about a month. Consider purchasing a
one of the most critical ways to (or making your own) Treegator,
conserve – efficient watering of which is a slow release bag of
lawns and landscapes. water that will water the tree over
According to some studies, a 5-9 hour period.
80 percent of the water used Mulch Mulch Mulch
at home during April through The more you mulch,
October is used for lawn and the better chance your colorful
garden irrigation…and up to 50 garden plants will survive
percent of that water is wasted. extended dry periods. That extra
We are so convinced that it takes Save the trees! layer can make all the difference!
a lot of water to maintain a lush, Pay special attention to Garden beds with perennials and
green lawn that we just water and shrubs and trees. This high- annuals also can use a soaker
water and water. impact greenery is the foundation hose system. Adding mulch over
of our landscape. Trees and the soaker hose and around the
shrubs need watering that reaches shrubs and tree drip line helps
the roots, where moisture is most conserve moisture even more.
effective. Your automatic sprinkler The combination of sustained
system may not provide what is periods of brutal, triple digit
needed, so consider investing in a temperatures – along with the
soaker hose and timer. This hose relentless afternoon sun – can
should be no longer than 100 really take its toll on all plants,
feet, and should wind between including those in containers.
your shrubs and trees. Hand-watering is your best bet to
Attach the timer to the help them survive.
closest outdoor faucet and Thirsty Lawns
Take Control connect the two with your garden Lawns – especially those
When was the last time hose. Turn it on to seeping – not made up of St. Augustine grass
8

9. – are big drinkers. Consider naturally “landscaped” residential
limiting grassy areas as much as areas, some with seating alcoves,
possible, by relying on smaller turf than you might encounter here.
areas to contrast with your other Gardening experts suggest
landscape components. that some people cling to their
Automatic sprinklers work lawns because they simply cannot
best here, but there’s no guarantee imagine any other option. But,
they will keep your lawn green they point out, there’s just no other
during a serious drought. Grass place on earth where folks have
naturally goes dormant in dry this much residential turf. The
conditions; conserving water for water only as long as it takes to new philosophy seems to be that
its roots. Your goal should be the get moisture down into the soil – “brown is the new green.”
same — water as infrequently but that is usually a maximum of 20 According to NASA
as deeply as possible. minutes per cycle. It will take at data, lawns have outpaced corn
least 30 minutes for the water to to become America’s largest
percolate into the soil, so allow it irrigated “crop” by area – at
to do this before adding any more about 32 million acres – based
water. Water that runs off into the on satellite and aerial imagery
street is wasted! collected by the agency over 13
Promote healthy soil metro areas. Experts suggest that
During a drought, one the lawns of the future might look
important secret to survival is much different, due, in part, to the
healthy soil, which protects and rising cost of water. Depending
During serious drought sustains the roots of your lawn. on how long the current drought
periods, it is best to scrub the If you decide to add fertilizer, use continues, the switch to less
Best Lawn Contest, and seek only the organic kind that will thirsty turf might need to occur
the rewards that come from encourage the roots and healthy sooner than anticipated.
conserving our precious water soil your lawn needs.
resources. Aim instead for land- Autos and Lawns...
scape survival over the long term. Not only have Americans had a
St. Augustine – on average long-term love affair with their
– needs ¾ to one inch of water automobiles, for the past 50
per week to stay green. Water years or so folks have also been
long enough to dampen the wedded to their lush, sculptured,
dirt to a depth of 6 inches. (Use and manicured lawns. Today,
that screwdriver again to check however, thanks to the drought
moisture penetration). Avoid and significant requirements for
“scalping” the lawn – when St. chemical supplements and lots Go Native!
Augustine is kept at about 3 of water, many homeowners Native plants, especially
inches, the grass can provide are seeking a divorce. Texas Superstars and drought-
shade for its own roots. Some are going so far tolerant greenery, are your best
Don’t water the concrete! as tearing out their front lawns, allies to minimize your landscape
Because conditions vary yard to replacing them with native plant watering needs. Plant annuals in
yard, there is no absolute rule gardens, or courtyards with ground seasonal containers, and use them
for how long to water. (See the covered, stepping-stoned seating as an attractive focal point for your
Truth About Turf article, page 2.) areas. People returning from yard. Container plants can easily
A reasonable guide for sprinkler vacations abroad often report that be sustained by hand watering or
systems or manual watering is to they were surprised to see more inexpensive drip irrigation options
9 Continued on page 10

10. available at your neighborhood immediately. Shorten your shower
nursery or do-it-yourself store. by 5 minutes and save up to 25
Here are some tips to help gallons each time you get clean!
maximize water efficiency around If you prefer a bath, consider
the house: filling the tub only half full...and
Find and fix leaks! save 10-15 gallons. Never allow
A leaking faucet can waste water to go down a drain that
can be used for something else,
such as watering plants.
Please make a commitment
to save 20 gallons of water every
day; you will be amazed at how
easy this is to accomplish!
Education, Education, Saving water...
Education one glass at a time
Whether you’re an are offering water table service
educator, student, business on request only. And with the
leader, or a member of your advent of critical education
homeowner association – please budget cuts, many campuses are
get involved in local water retrofitting with low-volume flush
conservation efforts, or start toilets or using toilet tank water
your own program. Help educate displacement devices to reduce
up to 100 gallons a day! As long others about the critical need to their total water usage.
as faucets, toilets and showers use water judiciously. Other options in the school
are leaking, saving water is Water efficiencies are possible in environment include adjusting ice
impossible. Don’t let those leaks the commercial sector, as well. machines to dispense only the
intimidate you, either – you CAN amount of ice that is actually
fix them yourself. Help is available used each day, replacing old
at your local home improvement spray nozzles with more efficient
or hardware store. varieties, and running washing
Collect information about machines with full loads. Schools
the leaky item – such as serial or can also fix toilet, faucet or locker
model number – and take a photo room shower head leaks. Timers
with you for reference if you can be set to irrigate athletic
have any doubts about make or fields during the earliest morning
model. Find a friendly plumbing hours – before the residential
department sales representative water “rush hour” – and weather-
and ask for help with your based technology can be installed
situation. They can help you find to factor in recent or predicted
the correct replacement parts, and rainfall before allowing the
can even give basic instructions system to come on at all.
on how to make the fix. If the experts are correct,
Flush and Bathe Many manufacturing companies, and drought is the “new normal”
Experts have calculated hospitals, schools and food service with no relief in sight, it is up to
that almost two thirds of home businesses have already begun each of us to do our part to lessen
water use is for toilet flushing to implement aggressive water its impact. If we treat water as a
and bathing. Don’t use toilets as efficiency programs. precious resource today, we can
waste baskets and fix any leaks More and more restaurants enjoy that resource tomorrow. 
10

11. What’s a WATER “FOOTPRINT”
and How Big is Yours?
It sounds strange, but water experts have recently begun calculating water usage for individuals,
households, communities and even whole countries by considering how much water they directly or indirectly
consume in any given time frame. This includes “virtual water”— the amount of water needed to produce
everyday things we rely on like food, energy, clothing and shelter.
Did you know that the water footprint of a pound of plastic is 24 gallons? That means that the
container of bottled water, juice or soft drink uses three to five times as much water to create as the
beverage it contains! Get the picture? Most folks have no idea how much fresh water they consume in a
day. That’s where the water footprint concept comes in -- it can remind us where our water comes from
and its true value as the critical component in virtually everything in our lives and lifestyle. Consider all the
ways you can use water more efficiently — taking shorter showers, running the dishwasher or washing
machine only with full loads, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, water your lawn only when it needs it. Use
less....save more!
If you think of your ‘footprint’ as how much water you use, are you a tip-toer...or a BIG FOOT?
Here’s a quiz to see what you think “uses” a lot of water to grow, create or make! Guess how many gallons
of water each of these items require. The answers are below...no peeking!
HERE ARE YOUR CHOICES: 25 gallons; 122 gallons; 5,000 gallons; 65 gallons;
400 gallons; 40,000 gallons; 1,400 gallons; 45 gallons;
100,000 gallons; 2,500 gallons.
loaf of bread burger, fries & a drink slow faucet drip automobile glass of milk
pair of blue jeans 1 pound of beef 5 minute shower full load, washing machine serving of chicken
full load of wash: 45 gallons; serving of chicken: 400 gallons.
milk: 65 gallons; blue jeans: 40,000 gallons; pound of beef: 2,500 gallons; 5 minute shower: 25 gallons:
ANSWERS: bread: 122 gallons; burger, fries, drink: 1,400 gallons; faucet drip: 5,000 gallons; auto: 100,000 gallons:
11

12. www.nfbwa.com
c/o Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2600
Houston, Texas 77027
Conversion... people have heard that we need “We took a very careful look
Continued from page 1 to convert to alternative water at all our routing alternatives and
Authority’s new surface water sources, such as surface water. It’s selected the ones with the least
system. That is approximately 55 a massive effort to pipe surface impact on existing residents and
percent of the waterlines required water across Houston to Fort which allowed us to construct
to meet the 2013 conversion Bend county. Water rates will rise as soon as possible,” Houghton
deadline, says Silva. and will rise fairly dramatically. We said. “That combination enabled
So far, the Authority has want people to be aware of that.” us to deliver water earlier than
designed 25 projects, with eight The NFBWA has issued $280 required.”
complete and twelve under con- million in bonds to finance design While reducing the more in-
struction. Construction cost of and construction of a pump sta- convenient and noticeable aspects
awarded projects is $52 million as tion, transmission lines, and stor- of groundwater conversion is a
of early October, 2011. The Au- age facilities, for capital to the plus for residents, the Authority
thority has leased and reopened City of Houston for water supply also wants to make the process
an inactive City of Houston water facilities, and to acquire necessary as transparent as possible. Silva
plant near Bellaire Boulevard and property and easements. said working with MUD repre-
Synott Road to push water to These funds have provided the sentatives has helped smooth and
the MUDs, while the Authority necessary financing to complete speed the process.
plans and constructs a permanent 2013 surface water conversion “Complying with the conver-
Bellaire Pump Station. Fourteen requirements. The bonds will be sion mandate involves a partner-
additional projects are in design. repaid through pumpage fees ship between the Authority and
Through August, 2011, the charged to the MUDs and cities the MUDs,” Silva said. “We’ve
NFBWA has delivered 527 million within NFBWA boundaries and worked very hard to let the MUDs
gallons of surface water to its first contract participants and water know what is going to happen,
MUDs, or 5.4 percent of total sales. and to make sure that residents
NFBWA demand. The Authority Houghton said the Author- were aware of construction routes
expects to convert approximately ity – thanks to diligent effort and and informed ahead of time when
15 percent by the end of 2011, current market conditions – has construction would take place. I
and 30 percent by the end of been able to construct much of the think that made all the difference
2012 – well ahead of the FBSD’s first phase of new infrastructure in the world.” 
2013 deadline. at a cost significantly less than
Eventually, it will cost billions originally estimated. The $52 mil- WATER LESS...
of dollars – not hundreds of mil- lion in projects already complete
lions – to convert the Greater or under construction has cost
Houston region to surface water, $8 million less than conceptual
Authority officials say. estimates.
“We can no longer pump out Whenever possible, the Au-
of water wells in our neighbor- thority is routing new lines along
hoods,” said Houghton. “Very few existing utility easements.
SAVE MORE!