Researching Water Use and Water Legislation

Show the following video to prepare the class for the lesson: How Much Water do we Really Use Everyday? How much water do we really use?

 Identify municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses of water, including recycling opportunities  Discuss how the different types of water uses impact water availability  Research water use legislation  Review water quality policy, including the agricultural storm water exclusion, and how it affects the decisions made in agricultural production  Discuss the potential impacts of energy production on water resources Today we will…

 Municipal  Industrial  Agricultural  Recycling Uses of Water

 Water used by the people in cities, towns, housing estates, domestic and public service enterprises  Water used for showering, cooking, brushing your teeth, etc.  Market gardening  Watering vegetable gardens and domestic garden plots Municipal Uses of Water Taken from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

 Water used for fabrication, processing, washing, and cooling  Water used by smelting facilities, petroleum refineries, and industries producing chemical products, food, and paper products  Industrial water use has declined 24% since 1985 and in 2000 was at its lowest level since reporting began in 1950 Industrial Uses of Water Taken from: National Atlas

 Irrigation is one of the most important use of water  Used for growing crops  Livestock water uses-watering and feedlots  Aquaculture-fish hatcheries and fish farms Agricultural Uses of Water Taken from: U.S. Geological Survey and the National Atlas

Agriculture uses the most water compared with municipal and industrial uses. Global Sum of all Withdrawals for Water Uses Taken from: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

 Agriculture irrigation  Watering public parks and gardens  Toilet flushing  Car washing  Other household uses Recycled Water Opportunities Taken from Melbourne Water

 Water rights depend on whether the water is groundwater or surface water  Texas groundwater belongs to the landowner  Landowners do not own the water, but have the right to pump and capture whatever water is available  Surface water belongs to the state of Texas  Landowner must have the state’s permission to use Water Use Legislation in Texas Taken from Texas Water at Texas A&M University

 HB 4: creates a $2 million state water implementation fund that would collect revenue to help provide financial assistance for water-related government projects, infrastructure, and conservation projects  SB 198: Illegal for HOAs to prohibit xeriscaping, drought- resistant landscaping, or water-conserving natural turf  HB 252: Public utilities and entities that provide water for a utility’s retail system must provide notice to the TWC when it believes its water supply will be depleted in less than 180 days Water Bills in Texas Taken from: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

 SB 365: Program known as PACE; authorizes municipalities and counties to work with commercial lenders and property owners to develop improvement projects that will decrease water or energy consumption  SB 654: allows municipalities to enforce water ordinances through a civil action, rather than bringing criminal suits  SB 700: requires the State Energy Conservation Office to develop a template for state agencies to use in creating water management plants that include percentage goals for reducing water usage Water Bills in Texas cont. Taken from: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

 HB 2781: requires certain all new state buildings with a roof measuring at least 10,000 sq. ft. will employ rainwater harvesting  HB 3604: requires water-suppliers to implement both water conservation and drought contingency plans when a drought disaster is declared in their county Water Bills in Texas cont. Taken from: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

 Using the EPA website, show the class water quality policies.EPA Water Quality Policy

 Exemption that requires the farmer’s use of a nutrient management plan reviewed and signed by a certified nutrient management planner  Exemption removes the farmer’s liability from the runoff of manure or poultry litter from the land application area during a storm event if nutrients are being applied at agronomic rates using a nutrient management plan Agricultural Storm Water Exclusion Taken from West Virginia University Extension Service

 In order to qualify for the exemption, you must be using proper agricultural practices  If you fail to properly mange the field, you would lose your exemption and could be fined for a violation under the Clean Water Act How does the Agricultural Storm Water Exclusion affect the decisions made in agricultural production? Taken from: Missouri Commercial Agriculture

 In 3 equal groups (municipal, industrial, and agricultural) discuss how the different types of water uses impact water availability.  Create a column on a chart for each water use and have each group write their findings on the chart and then share with the class. Water Availability Discussion

 As a class, discuss the potential impacts of energy production on water resources. Energy Production on Water Resources Discussion

 What are the 3 main uses of water?  Define municipal water use.  Define industrial water use.  Define agricultural water use.  Name 3 recycled water opportunities.  How do the different types of water uses impact water availability?  Name 3 water use bills in Texas.  What is the agricultural storm water exclusion?  Name 3 potential impacts of energy production on water resources. Evaluation

 Identify municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses of water, including recycling opportunities  Discuss how the different types of water uses impact water availability  Research water use legislation  Review water quality policy, including the agricultural storm water exclusion, and how it affects the decisions made in agricultural production  Discuss the potential impacts of energy production on water resources Summary

 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization   National Atlas   U.S. Geological Survey   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations   Melbourne Water   Texas Water at Texas A&M University   Texas A&M AgriLife Extension   West Virginia University Extension Service   Missouri Commercial Agriculture   EPA  References

 Science I. D. 1.  Science III. D. 1.  Science III. D. 2. Texas College and Career Readiness Standards