Leadership Austin

January 2012 Engage – Water Use and Management

Posted by Leadership Austin
in Programs, Engage, Podcasts
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Expert panelists shared some sobering but thoughtful insights on water use and management at today’s Engage Speaker Series breakfast at the Long Center. If you missed this important discussion, the audio podcast is below along with references from the discussion and the results of our live audience polling.

January Engage breakfast at the Long Center

What can you do to get engaged in the conversations and solutions surrounding water in Central Texas? Here are some suggestions from the panel:

Becky Motal – General Manager, LCRA
We have to develop new supplies and better conjunctive uses of water. Become leaders and help develop new water supplies so the State of Texas can remain a healthy economic engine.
Laura Huffman – Texas State Director, The Nature Conservancy
1) Manage existing supplies – the state water plan is our strategy to do that, but it needs funding; 2) Be really careful about protecting water quality in a drought situation; 3) Develop creative partnerships with corporations on water conservation commitments; 4) Help champion the need to create a standing, statewide consortium on this issue.
Carlos Rubinstein – Commissioner, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
More people have to recognize that the drought affects them personally. Every drop is precious. Every one of us needs to realize that we can’t grow the economy without water. We need to fund the strategies that are already in place.
Greg Meszaros – Director, City of Austin Water Utility
Educate yourself. Expect to see water funding increase in the future and realize that it will take a long time to make these changes. Be innovative. Consider the wise use and reuse of water.

Thanks to KXAN’s Jim Spencer for being our moderator this morning. Be sure to check out KXAN.com’s ATXpansion section for more on this and other important community issues. UPDATE: Watch the KXAN News story below.

Thank you as well to our presenting sponsor, Capital One Bank, and special thanks to our program partners – The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, Sterling Affairs Catering and Events – and our mobile technology partner 44Doors.