Texas faces severe drought, endangering the Rio Grande and Pecos River, as highlighted by American Rivers, which calls the Lower Rio Grande one of the most endangered rivers. Farmers and cities struggle with water shortages while oil and gas companies extract billions of gallons annually for operations. An analysis reveals that from 2021 to 2024, these companies used over 10 billion gallons from the Rio Grande alone. Although some firms commit to reducing freshwater usage, heavy reliance on surface water raises sustainability issues amidst the ongoing drought and environmental challenges.
Extreme drought conditions have exacerbated the struggle over water resources in Texas, with agriculture and urban centers competing against the oil and gas industry for dwindling water supplies.
The advocacy group American Rivers warns that the Lower Rio Grande is on the brink of ecological collapse due to relentless human-induced megadrought and excessive water use.
Water sold for drilling and fracking continues to strain Texas' rivers, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and the ecological impacts of extracting essential water resources for fossil fuel production.
Efforts by Texas oil companies to reduce their freshwater consumption are undercut by ongoing large-scale water sales, highlighting the tension between energy needs and drought's impact.
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