In addition to the dry, shifting soil, the leaks result from the brittleness of aging pipes and a high demand on the city’s water infrastructure despite the conservation appeals and edicts. The city, which budgets almost $20 million annually for water line repairs, has authorized an additional $33 million in spending this year to bring in contractors to help municipal workers with repairs, Jones said. She said the municipal government in Houston was taking 500 calls per week for water leaks, up from 300 around this time in 2022, when drought conditions were less severe. ![]() “When the pipes shift, the pipe joints can break, causing water leaks.” “The intense heat and drop in annual rainfall have dried up the soil, causing a shift in water lines,” said Erin Jones, a spokesperson for the city of Houston, which logged its hottest summer on record this year. The impact on Texas’ water systems highlights both the vulnerability of basic infrastructure to a warming climate and the high costs of adaptation. ![]() The hottest summer on record for many Texas cities has brought millions of dollars in damage to municipal plumbing and the loss of huge volumes of water during a severe drought. Īuthorities across the state are struggling to keep up with widespread leakage even as they plead for water conservation and have restricted outdoor water use. Sign up for their newsletter here. Įditor’s note: Be sure to read Delger Erdenesanaa’s interview with water policy expert Jennifer Walker, part of Drifting Toward Disaster, our series on the future of Texas waterways. ![]() This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |