About Us

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Council's Definition of Water Conservation

"Those practices, techniques, programs, and technologies that will protect water resources, reduce the consumption of water, reduce the loss or waste of water, improve the efficiency in the use of water, or increase the recycling and reuse of water so that a water supply is made available for future or alternative uses."

Council Mission Statement

To establish a professional forum for the continuing development of water conservation resources, expertise, and progress evaluation of the highest quality for the benefit of Texas — its state leadership, regional and local governments, and general public.

Development of the Water Conservation Advisory Council

Photo of C. E. Williams Recognizing the importance of conservation in meeting our future demand, the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature (2007) via the passage of Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 4, directed the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to appoint the members of the newly created Water Conservation Advisory Council (Council).  The Council was created to provide the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Legislature, Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), political subdivisions, and the public with the resource of a select council with expertise in water conservation. 

According to the legislation, the Council is composed of 23 members appointed by the TWDB. Those members are:

Interest Group Member Term Ends
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Scott Swanson 2017
Texas Department of Agriculture Richard Eyster 2017
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Cindy Loeffler 2015
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Richard Egg 2013
Texas Water Development Board Robert Mace 2017
Regional Water Planning Groups C.E. Williams 2015
Federal Agencies Steven Bednarz 2017
Municipalities Karen Guz 2017
Groundwater Conservation Districts Stacey Steinbach 2013
River Authorities James Parks 2015
Environmental Groups Ken Kramer 2015
Irrigation Districts Wayne Halbert 2013
Institutional Water Users H.W. Bill Hoffman 2013
Professional Organization Focused on Water Conservation Carole Baker 2013
Higher Education Kevin Wagner 2017
Agricultural Groups Hughes Abell 2013
Refining and Chemical Manufacturing Karl Fennessey 2017
Electric Generation Gary Spicer 2015
Mining and Recovery of Minerals Gene Montgomery 2013
Landscape Irrigation and Horticulture Brad Smith 2017
Water Control and Improvement Districts Linda Christie 2013
Rural Water Users Lara Zent 2015
Municipal Utility Districts Donna Howe 2017

Duties of the Water Conservation Advisory Council include:

  • Monitoring trends in water conservation implementation and new technologies for possible inclusion as best management practices;
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of the statewide water conservation public awareness program; developing and implementing a state water management resource library;
  • Developing and implementing a public recognition program for water conservation;
  • Monitoring the implementation of water conservation strategies by water users included in regional water plans;
  • Monitoring target and goal guidelines for water conservation to be considered by the TWDB and TCEQ; and
  • Evaluate the desirability of requiring certification of water conservation training facilities entities and programs that provide assistance to retail public utilities in developing water conservation plans.

No later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the Council is to submit to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives a report on progress made in water conservation in this state.  For additional information about the Council please contact the Conservation Division at the Texas Water Development Board, by email at wcac@twdb.texas.gov, or by telephone at (512) 936-2343.

 

History of the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force 2003 – 2005

In 2003, during the 78th Legislative session, state policy on water conservation in Texas was described as “currently fragmented and lacking focus.”  It was determined that such a state policy could potentially compromise the state’s ability to meet future water supply needs.  Understanding the critical role of water conservation, the 78th Texas Legislature considered a broad spectrum of issues related to water conservation.  To address some of these issues, the 78th Texas Legislature established the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force (WCITF) via the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1094.  Senate Bill 1094 created the Task Force (WCITF) to evaluate matters regarding water conservation.  It was introduced and supported by Senator Robert Duncan, approved by the 78th Texas Legislature, and signed by Governor Rick Perry.  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was appointed to select the 32 members of the Task Force.

The following interest groups were represented by members of the Task Force:

  1. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
  2. Department of Agriculture;
  3. Parks and Wildlife Department;
  4. State Soil and Water Conservation Board;
  5. Texas Water Development Board;
  6. regional water planning groups;
  7. federal agencies;
  8. municipalities;
  9. groundwater conservation districts;
  10. river authorities;
  11. environmental groups;
  12. irrigation districts;
  13. industries;
  14. institutional water users;
  15. professional organizations focused on water conservation; and
  16. higher education.

The Task Force was charged to review, evaluate, and recommend optimum levels of water use efficiency and conservation for Texas and to concentrate on issues related to:

  • Best Management Practices;
  • Implementation of conservation strategies contained in regional water plans;
  • A statewide public awareness program;
  • State funding of incentive programs;
  • Goals & Targets for per capita water use considering climatic and demographic differences;
  • Evaluation of state oversight and support of conservation.

In addition, SB 1094 directed the Task Force to develop a best-management practices guide (BMP Guide) for use by Planning Groups and political subdivisions responsible for water delivery service.  Read the 2004 BMP Guide.

Senate Bill 1094 was effective immediately upon passage and after submitting their report to the legislature on November 2004, the Task Force was abolished on January 1, 2005.  Read the 2004 Task Force Report.

In their report, the Task Force recommended that a standing Water Conservation Advisory Council be established to advise the Texas Legislature as well as other state agencies on matters regarding water conservation.  The 79th Texas Legislature considered numerous aspects of water resource planning and water conservation activities but did not create an advisory council.  In 2007, the 80th Legislature approved legislation creating the Water Conservation Advisory Council.