{"id":16,"date":"2023-09-15T06:41:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T06:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accelerateh2o.org\/?page_id=16"},"modified":"2023-11-07T09:24:58","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T09:24:58","slug":"extreme-weather","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.accelerateh2o.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Water Infrastructure at Risk from Extreme Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Extreme<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Texas is prone to a wide range of natural disasters that pose significant risks to critical infrastructure, especially water systems. The state’s susceptibility to droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms threatens the ability to provide clean drinking water to millions of Texans. As climate change exacerbates extreme weather, Texas must adapt its water infrastructure to strengthen resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unique Climate Makes Texas Vulnerable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Texas has a highly variable climate with weather extremes. Much of the state is arid or semi-arid, making it vulnerable to drought. Yet the Gulf of Mexico provides abundant moisture fueling strong thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Texas averages the most tornadoes of any state, along with damaging hail storms and lightning. Occasional winter storms, including crippling ice storms, also impact the state. According to a USA Today analysis, Texas led the nation in billion-dollar disaster events from 1980 through 2021 with 27. These included hurricanes, flooding, severe storms, drought, wildfires, and winter storms. This variable and extreme climate poses challenges for water infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drought is a top concern. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, drought affected 64% of Texas in June 2022. The state suffered its worst droughts on record in the 1950s and 2011-2012. Drought decreases water supply as reservoirs and aquifers are drawn down. Lower water levels also concentrate contaminants, increasing treatment requirements. Hotter temperatures due to climate change will worsen drought impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, heavy rain from hurricanes and severe storms causes flooding. Hurricane Harvey dumped 60 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas in 2017. Flooding overwhelmed reservoirs and treatment plants. Over 240 public water systems issued notices to boil water and over 30 systems lost pressure and issued do not use advisories. Flooding damaged equipment and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter storms pose multiple threats. Extended freezing can rupture exposed pipes and disable equipment. Losing power impairs pumping and treatment capabilities. The February 2021 Texas freeze left millions without water for days after power outages. Breaks in the water distribution system were widespread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This extreme variability, from drought to flood, strains Texas water infrastructure. Systems must be resilient across this spectrum of conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Infrastructure Vulnerabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several factors make Texas water infrastructure vulnerable to natural disasters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n