Be a part of a serious discussion about the impact of our water supply on businesses, our economy and our future.
When:
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Time:
11:00 AM – 1:15 PM
(Program to begin at 11:30 AM)
Location:
Lakeway Activity Center
105 Cross Creek
Lakeway, Texas 78734
Program
| 11:00 | Doors Open |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Lunch (Torchy’s Tacos) |
| 11:30 | Welcome and Introductions Ron Doughty (Central Texas Water Coalition) |
| 11:40 | Why a More Protective Water Management Approach Is Needed Jo Karr Tedder (Central Texas Water Coalition) |
| 12:00 | The Future of Our Water Supply John Nielson-Gammon (Texas State Climatologist) |
| 12:30 p.m. | Solutions to Protect the Lakes State Senator Donna Campbell/Staff |
| 12:40 | Interactive Discussion Among Attendees |
| 1:10 | What You Can Do to Help |
| 1:15 | Event Ends |
Hear featured speaker and State of Texas Climatologist John Nielson-Gammon detail how Central Texas is facing historic drought conditions as weather patterns shift.
It’s Time for Action
Water scarcity is devastating to businesses, but we still have a small window in which to take action. Better policies and planning around water use can prevent Central Texas from seeing the effects of water scarcity that California and many in the western U.S. are currently experiencing, as are many regions around the world. The Business Water Round Table will allow for an exchange of ideas among businesses regarding water availability, conservation and how the water supply is managed into the future.
Water and Your Company
CTWC’s Business Water Round Table series will include serious, fact-based discussions on the current status and future of the region’s water supply. The events will provide insight into water management policies of interest to everyone from small businesses to large employers. It will feature interactive dialogue between hydrology experts, elected officials and business leaders.
By participating in CTWC’s Business Water Round Table, you will:
- Learn about the organization’s work on behalf of area businesses as a protector of the lakes.
- Gain insight into water management policies and decisions that impact lake levels, the region’s economy and your business.
- Be informed of opportunities to support regulatory and legislative initiatives that will help protect the water supply into the future.
- Have the opportunity to voice your and your company’s concerns on water policies and your water needs.
By attending, you will meet other business leaders who share an interest in sound water management for our region. You will also be able to determine the role best suited for you and your company in advocating for water policies that will help guarantee a sound future for the water supply that we depend upon.
Central Texas, We Have a Problem
Lakes Travis and Buchanan are the primary sources of drinking water for over 2 million Central Texans. Yet the Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages these lakes, is operating under a Water Management Plan that allows for enormous waste — all while the region is experiencing an intense drought and lake levels continue to drop dramatically, with more arid weather patterns expected to continue. This is particularly concerning given alarming trends in shifting climate conditions, declining inflows into the lakes and expanding population patterns in our region. The convergence of these factors is especially threatening to our economy.
The most recent “Drought of Record” (2008-2015) shuttered area businesses, damaged homes, and created conditions for devastating wildfires … and the current drought may prove just as bad or worse.
Water and Our Economy
A secure water supply is essential to a healthy economy. We’ve all seen how extreme drought is affecting the Western U.S. Increased fire risk, water restrictions, reduced crop yield, and more threaten everything from our food supply to the production of electricity to worker health and productivity. In turn, this drives up prices across industries, has been shown to increase violent conflicts, and leads consumers to leave water-insecure areas.
In fact, according to the World Bank, water scarcity could reduce GDP in some regions by up to 6% by 2050. Here in Texas, the Texas Water Development Board predicts that if we experience another drought as bad as or worse than the Drought of Record, we will see a reduction in GDP of $98 billion to $117 billion, along with job losses of up to nearly a million workers, if changes aren’t made.