Water resource uses and issues in Texas.

Texas has a long-term annual availability of fresh water from ground and surface sources combined of at least 14.1 million acre-feet (maf), according to the Texas Department of Water Resources. This includes a safe ground-water yield of 5.1 maf, defined as the quantity of average, annual, recoverable recharge to ground-water aquifers. It also includes a firm surface water yield of at least 9.0 maf. The ground-water use for all purposes in Texas exceeds the safe ground-water yield by 7.1 maf and is accomplished by removing more ground water than is replaced by natural recharge. This annual ground- water overdraft is lowering water tables, increasing pumping costs, and affecting the physical characteristics of individual aquifers.