Though the number of residents in the state affected by drought dropped by the millions after recent heavy rains, areas of the state that rely on underground supplies of water could still run out of water within months.
"May's showers eased the drought, but they did not solve Texas' water challenges, leaving the future of many Texans' water suppliers uncertain," according to an article by John D. Harden.
Harden cites the example of Lazbuddie, a small dairy town on the northwest edge of the Texas Panhandle. "The school district there, which doubles as a public water supplier, uses well water and may run out in 45 days or less."
Though the number of Texans in the throes of drought has dropped precipitously—from 10.8 million at the beginning of the year to 15,726 now, the situation is incredibly dire in places that rely on underground reservoirs. According to Harden, "[w]hile a lake's reservoir can be filled in a day or two, it can take several significant years of rainfall and a few additional years on top of that for the rain to seep through and recharge an aquifer." Meanwhile some communities are drawing water from aquifers faster than they can even recharge—even after heavy rain events like the state has experienced in recent weeks.
The article goes on to provide more details about the places and jurisdictions around the state that will continue to battle for access to water supply in the coming years.
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