The Dallas Morning News reports that at least $4 billion in water projects will be needed by 2050 to satisfy a 16-county area in Texas that includes Dallas and Fort Worth.
According to a report by the Region C Water Planning Group, which was charged to analyze area water needs and report to the Texas Water Development Board, at least one new lake and other projects will have to be built to satisfy the demand for water, expected to increase 78 percent in 50 years.
The region is expected to attract 3 million people by 2050, according to the planning group's preliminary report. New, larger housing developments with swimming pools will likely boost the water demand.
A proposed 62,000-acre lake north of Mount Pleasant, costing $1.5 billion, will be the source of water for three major water providers in the area: Dallas Water Utilities, Tarrant Regional Water District and the North Texas Municipal Water District. The lake would provide about 200 billion gallons of water a year. The report also includes other proposed projects such as drawing water from other lakes and adding pumps and pipelines.
(Source: The Dallas Morning News)