FAQ

Water Smart is a joint project of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board to raise awareness of water supply issues affecting Texas communities and promote efficient water use and water conservation habits.

AWBD, as a leader in the water industry, is proud to be a partner in the Water Smart Program and has been recognized for its support of the program and its goals.

How did Water Smart begin?

Water Smart grew out of the drought of 1996.  During this awful time, dwindling water reserves threatened community life and economic activities activity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.  The program highlighted the need for water conservation and was successful.  It has been introduced into other areas of Texas where small water utilities have experienced emergency conditions because of increased demand during the drought of 1998.

What areas of Texas were targeted for the Program in 1998?

Three areas were targeted: five counties in southeast Texas near Houston; 13 counties in northeast Texas around Tyler; and seven counties in north central Texas around the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex.    In the future, Water Smart will expand into other regions of the state with the goal of making Water Smart a permanent program throughout Texas.

How does Water Smart work?

Water Smart draws its strength from broad-based, grass roots support.  It uses state assistance to construct a framework of community action.  It brings together representatives of local water utilities or industry leaders, like AWBD, to organize supporting activities throughout a region.

State assistance can be technical or an allocation of resources.  Under the heading of technical assistance, the state will provide the services of a coordinator to jumpstart activities and held local representatives customize the program to fit their communities.  Printed material on specific water supply issues affecting the community, general material on conservation practices and techniques for inside and outside water use are available also.

In addition, state agencies have been able to allocate some funds to place public service announcements (PSAs) in media outlets.  Remember hearing Junior Brown singing Water  Patrol?  That was part of Water Smart.

It means you should get involved with Water Smart.  Water is our most precious natural resource. Water conservation makes good sense and it saves cents for every customer and water district when water conservation is practiced.

Water Smart is more than a smart promotion; it impacts the future of the water industry, the future of Texas.  Water supply is a critical factor in determining the economic future of Texas.   With the mandate of SB 1, passed in the 75th Texas Legislature, to plan for water needs, Water Smart serves a vital outreach function to support regional water planning.

Contact AWBD or call the Water Smart Program at 512/797-3792 to become a Water Smart partner. Begin by clicking here to download the 2005 Water Smart Partner application. For more information, you may also contact members of the AWBD Water Smart Steering Committee.