An annual report documents 2,870 active cases of groundwater contamination around the state. Groundwater provides more than half of the state’s water supply.
compiles 2,870 open cases of groundwater contamination, some of which date back decades. Nearly every county in Texas is impacted by the problem. During 2023, Texas regulators notified 34 local authorities — from El Paso to Houston — that newly-identified contamination could impact their public drinking water. An additional 289 property owners were notified that groundwater contamination may impact their private wells.
Currently there are 224 public water supply wells that are considered contaminated, according to the report. There are approximately 17,900 public water supply wells in the state. “If TCEQ-regulated activities do impact groundwater, TCEQ will investigate the possible source of contamination and notify well owners in the vicinity of any groundwater contamination,” Richter wrote in an email.
The report says TCEQ uses a “risk-based” approach to groundwater contamination. The report notes that in some cases it is not “technically possible or cost effective” to remediate the groundwater. “As the state continues to grow we’re relying more and more on our groundwater resources,” said TAGD’s Foster. “Pretty much all of our surface water is permitted so there’s really not any more access to surface water.”
Texas Politics Texas Policy Texas Government Environment Groundwater State Government Water Supply Texas Commission On Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
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