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Old Pipes Cause Texas Cities to Lose Tens of Billions of Gallons of Water Each Year

Summary

Aging water infrastructure in Texas's major cities is leading to significant water loss, with approximately 88 billion gallons wasted in the past year. This inefficiency costs cities millions of dollars and exacerbates the state's water supply challenges. Cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso report substantial water losses due to leaks and main breaks. Houston and Dallas saw the largest increases in water loss, attributed to prolonged droughts and aging pipes. While voters approved a $1 billion fund for water infrastructure projects, experts argue that much more investment is needed to address the state's deteriorating water systems. The ongoing issue highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and better resource management to ensure sustainable water supply across Texas.

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