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<br />TEXAS 1...lI:rER CONSERV.l\'rrON <br />[AilS AND PROGIW1S <br />by <br />Stephen A. Dayton <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ImreR COi~SERVA'rIOL~ LAI'lS AiID PRo.;RN1S <br /> <br />Durin3 the 63til Regular Session in 1985, the Texas Legislature enactej Senata <br /> <br />aill 249, 'Nllich sunset the .rexas IP-part.nent of Water Resources and created t-.o <br /> <br />Tex~s water ~Jencies: The Texas Water commission and The Texas Water <br /> <br />Developnent Board. 'rhe responsibilities oE the former Department \oere divided <br /> <br />between the two agencies. In addition, select water-related functions of the <br /> <br />Department of Healtil and the Public Utility COmmission \oere reQssi~nej to the <br /> <br />Tex~s ~~ter Commission. <br /> <br />~nenunents to the Texas l~ter Code in 1985 also assigned the responsibility <br /> <br />for state wllcer conservation progr~ to both water agencies. Water <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />conservatio~l, which was also defined in the Texas Water COde in 1985, <br /> <br />includes: (t) the de'lelopment of wat~r resources; and (2) those practices, <br /> <br />techni'lU(;!s, and tachnologies that wi],l reduce the consumption of ;0f<3ter, re<.luce <br /> <br />the loss or waste of water, improve ~e efficiency in the use of water, or <br /> <br />increas2 tile recyr.:ling and reuse of 'f/ater so that a water supply is made <br /> <br />available Eor future or alternative QSes. <br /> <br />Texas Water axmnission <br /> <br />Section 11.1271, 'reX3S Water Code, (!\.ttachnent 1) states that the Texas Water <br /> <br />Co.n;nL;sion may require the for:nulation and submission of a water cOll.5ervation <br /> <br />plan and the adoption of reasonable \~ter conservation measures by anyone <br /> <br />app1yinC) fOr a per,nit to use 'Hater ft;Qn state streans. The Co.nmission is <br /> <br />currently developing rules to govern the development of the required plans. <br /> <br />. <br />