A new analysis of water consumption across Texas reveals a staggering difference in usage between metropolitan areas, with some cities using over eight times more water per person than others. The data shows this disparity is driven not by household habits but by the dominant local industries, particularly agriculture and energy production.
Key Takeaways
- Per-person water use in Lubbock is 8.6 times higher than in Austin, primarily due to agricultural irrigation in the surrounding rural areas.
- Water sources vary by geography: Eastern Texas relies on surface water from rivers and lakes, while West and South Texas depend heavily on groundwater from aquifers.
- Industries like farming, oil and gas production, and power generation are the largest consumers of water in high-use regions.
- When isolating municipal use for homes and businesses, water consumption is surprisingly consistent across all major Texas cities.
A State Divided by Water
Texas is a state of vast geographical and economic diversity, and its water resources reflect this reality. Where a city gets its water largely depends on its location. The eastern part of the state, being wetter, primarily draws from surface water sources like rivers and lakes. In contrast, the drier western and southern regions rely on groundwater pumped from underground aquifers.
Data shows that groundwater accounts for 54% of the state's total water supply, while surface water provides 42%. A smaller but growing portion, 4%, comes from reused water. This geographical split means that no two metropolitan areas have the same water profile.
For example, Dallas-Fort Worth and Wichita Falls are among the top metro areas reliant on surface water. Conversely, cities like Lubbock, Amarillo, and El Paso in the west, along with San Antonio, are heavily dependent on groundwater. This fundamental difference in supply is the first step in understanding the state's complex water landscape.
Water Sources at a Glance
- Groundwater Dominant: Lubbock, Amarillo, San Angelo, El Paso, San Antonio
- Surface Water Dominant: Dallas-Fort Worth, Brownsville, McAllen, Corpus Christi
- Top Water Re-users: Midland, Odessa, Laredo, San Antonio, Abilene
The Real Reason for High Water Consumption
The most striking finding is the immense gap in per-capita water use. In 2022, the average daily water use in the Lubbock metro area was 1,434 gallons per person. In Austin, that figure was just 166 gallons. This 8.6-fold difference has little to do with how long residents shower or water their lawns.
The answer lies in the economic makeup of each metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which includes the central city and surrounding counties. In areas like Lubbock, the MSA encompasses vast tracts of rural land dedicated to farming. Agriculture is an extremely water-intensive industry, and the water used for irrigating crops is factored into the region's per-capita total.
Of the ten Texas metros with the highest per-capita water use, five dedicate the majority of their water to agriculture: Lubbock, Amarillo, San Angelo, McAllen, and Brownsville. Other industries also play a significant role. In Midland, the primary use is for oil and gas production, while College Station's largest demand comes from power generation.
Industry Drives Demand
Water usage is broadly categorized into three areas: residential and commercial use, energy and power, and agriculture. The dominant category in a region dictates its overall water footprint. High-use metros are almost always dominated by agriculture or energy needs, not residential consumption.
Urban Water Use is Surprisingly Similar
When the data is filtered to show only municipal water use—the water supplied to homes, businesses, and institutions—the picture changes dramatically. The vast differences between cities disappear.
The highest municipal-use market, Amarillo, consumes only 1.8 times more water per person than the lowest, Brownsville. This is a far cry from the 8.6x difference seen in the total-use figures.
Even more telling is the comparison between the state's four largest metro areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. In these urban centers, where residential and commercial needs are the primary drivers of water use, the difference in consumption is minimal. There is only a 10 percent variation from the lowest per-capita user (Houston) to the highest (DFW).
"It’s clear that water policy and planning is complicated in Texas. The geological and economic history of the state’s regions and cities means surprising differences in water supply and demand," noted Daniel Oney, Ph.D., research director with the Texas Real Estate Research Center.
Planning for a Thirsty Future
These findings underscore that a one-size-fits-all approach to water policy in Texas is not feasible. As the state's population continues to grow, understanding these regional nuances becomes critical for sustainable development and resource management.
While urban conservation efforts remain important, the data clearly shows that the biggest challenges and opportunities for water management lie within the agricultural and energy sectors. Planners and policymakers must consider the unique economic and geographic factors of each region to ensure a stable water supply for all Texans in the decades to come.
The research, conducted by the Texas Real Estate Research Center using data from the Texas Water Development Board, provides a detailed roadmap for addressing these localized challenges effectively.