Drought Emergency Planning Workshops
During 2012, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) hosted drought emergency planning workshops throughout the state. The workshops provided local government officials, board members, and their water system operators information and tools to prevent and mitigate water outages.
Workshop presentation topics included:
- the status and severity of the continuing drought in Texas,
- an explanation of the emergency process and the role of each agency in the process,
- a discussion on what the Drinking Water Task force is and what it has done thus far,
- an explanation of available tools, including Financial, Managerial, and Technical (FMT) assistance; the EnviroMentor Program; funding; and the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC),
- a discussion on creating an emergency plan:
- obtaining interconnections
- drilling emergency wells
- planning for conservation
Representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee, local river authorities, and the local Ground Water Conservation Districts were available to provide additional information.
Drought and Emergency Management Resources for Public Water Systems
- Map of Current Drought Conditions – U.S. Drought Monitor map of current drought conditions
- Financial, Managerial, and Technical Assistance Program – Professional contractors who provide a water system, or the utility operating it, help that is tailored to their specific needs
- EnviroMentor Program – Professional volunteers who can help small businesses and local governments comply with state environmental rules
- Resources for Texas Water and Wastewater Utilities (RG-220) – Lists agencies and organizations that provide funding and assistance to utilities for water, wastewater, and waste disposal
- Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC) – Committee to identify solutions to water and wastewater infrastructure compliance issues and to seek funding
- Emergency Interconnection Procedure for Public Water Systems – TCEQ’s Procedure for public water system emergency interconnection
- Emergency and Temporary Use of Wells for Public Water Supplies – Rules and procedures for converting wells to temporary use to supply the public when other sources are unavailable
- List of Licensed Water Haulers – List of licensed water haulers in Texas
- TCEQ Drought Contingency Plans – Resources for developing a contingency plan in the event of drought or similar water shortage
- Water Conservation – Learn how you can conserve water
- Texas Drought Information – Drought information, including surface and groundwater regulations, and emergency procedures.