January 2012 Engage - Water Use and Management

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.

Attendees using the live polling technology from 44Doors

What did you think of the discussion? What are your plans for addressing this issue personally? Leave a comment and let us know!

References from the discussion:

• City of Austin Water Utility
• LCRA
• The Nature Conservancy
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• 2012 State of Texas Water Plan

Images:
Visit our Facebook page for images from the breakfast.

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

We asked the audience to indicate the level of importance

they place on the following statements:

Statement 1: The drought's impact on my personal water use.

Statement 2: The drought's impact on property values.

Statement 3: The drought's impact on recreational activities.

Statement 4: The drought's impact on agriculture.