Texas Faces the Cost of Cheap Water

Communities in Texas have traditionally enjoyed lower water rates than most other major metro areas in the United States, with thirsty lawns and landscaping contributing to relatively high usage as well. But in the wake of a historic drought, and with the state's population poised to nearly double in the next half-century, cities across the state will be seeking new supplies, and probably looking beyond the cheapest and most convenient water sources. Here, a look at how Texas stacks up against other parts of the U.S. in water rates, single-family usage and weather.

Related: In Era of Drought, Texas Cities Boost Water Rates

Rates are comparatively cheap ...

The Texas cities shown here generally have lower water rates than others in the nation for households using a typical 7,500 gallons a month. In the rainy Northwest, Seattle and Portland (not shown) have among the highest rates of any cities. Texas' rates are also generally lower than other arid Southwestern cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles. These data are limited in that they apply only to usage of 7,500 gallons a month. Higher usage may be charged at rapidly increasing rates. One challenge in comparing water rates: "tiered" pricing systems in many cities levy higher charges for increasing usage.

... and usage is relatively high

Water usage tends to be higher in dry cities like Phoenix, El Paso, Los Angeles and Denver, as residents turn on sprinklers to make up for the lack of rainfall on their lawns. Houston is a good counter-example: it gets plenty of rain, so people use less water. Studies estimate that between 50 to 80 percent of Texas cities' summertime water needs go toward lawns.

... despite relatively low rainfall ...

Precipitation varies widely across the United States. El Paso, in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, is the driest big city in Texas, with less than 10 inches of rain annually. Houston, some 700 miles to the east, is one of the rainiest cities in the country. Lower precipitation often correlates to increased water usage, as residents water their lawns more frequently to make up for lack of rainfall.

... and a recent history of serious drought

Texas is just recovering from the most severe one-year drought in its recorded history. These five-year statistics show that Texas cities, as a general rule, have experienced significantly more drought in recent years than many other cities. The data, which are county-level, derive from drought monitor maps updated each week by the National Drought Mitigation Center, based out of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Climate change is widely expected to exacerbate the droughts, especially in the Southwest — making water resources particularly precious.

In Texas, Water Fees and Usage Vary Widely

The spread of water fees within Texas cities is large — from less than $20 per month for a 5,000 gallon monthly user to more than $40 a month. In general, small cities in Texas pay more for their water than big cities, because the cost of acquiring water is spread across fewer people. This data is from a voluntary survey by the Texas Municipal League, so not all cities are included. For 2011, the average residential water usage reported by the survey was 6,756 gallons per month.

Hover over a city to see its usage and fee information.