Dallas-Fort Worth population boom threatens water supply
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Dallas officials are reviewing the city's long-term water plan to ensure it can address the needs of a rapidly growing population.
Why it matters: By 2070, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area could need an additional 360 million gallons of water a day — more than four times the region's newest reservoir's current production.
State of play: The North Texas Municipal Water District finished its work on Bois d'Arc Lake this year. It's the first major reservoir to open in the metro area in almost three decades.
- Since 2009, the North Texas water district has diverted treated wastewater to the East Fork Wetlands to filter water naturally before it's pumped back to Lavon Lake.
- The lake water is then treated as drinking water at the Wylie Water Treatment Plant for households and businesses across 10 North Texas counties.
Context: At the current population growth rate, the region is expected to nearly double by 2070 to 14.7 million residents.
- The service area population for Dallas Water Utilities, which serves more than 3 million people, is projected to grow to more than 5.3 million by 2070.
Between the lines: To meet the increasing demand, North Texas will have to tighten water conservation and establish more water reuse projects.
Zoom out: More than half of the world's reservoirs and largest lakes are losing water, largely due to climate change and consumption demands, per a recent study.
- Municipalities nationwide are trying to figure out how to keep up with more people and shrinking water supply. California, for example, became the second state (after Colorado) to allow highly treated wastewater to go directly into the drinking supply.
What's next: The city of Dallas will host an online public meeting June 26 to detail the latest on the long-range water supply plan.
- A public comment period opens then and will accept input until Aug. 9.
- The City Council will be briefed on the plan in October.