Second-Fastest Growing City in United States Faces Severe Water Shortages

By: May Man Published: Sep 11, 2024

A Texas city has become the second-fastest-growing urban area in the U.S. despite enduring sweltering summer temperatures and water shortages.

Before summer even began, temperatures in Kyle—located just 20 minutes from Austin—soared close to 100 degrees, exacerbating the problem as local creeks and watering holes dried up due to severe drought.

Kyle , Texas

Located around 20 miles south of Austin, Kyle is known as the Pie Capital of Texas and attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to enjoy the benefits of the small city life. 

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Kyle, Texas

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It has plenty of grassy parks, several lakes, the Blanco River, and many restaurants for residents and tourists to enjoy. 

The Surge in Kyles Popularity

During the pandemic, Kyle, Texas, saw a surge of homebuyers, many of whom were drawn to the peaceful suburban lifestyle. 

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However, several problems have arisen due to the influx of people, including a need for more water to sustain the growing population. The city’s aquifer is depleted, leaving over 67,000 residents grappling with water scarcity.

The Struggle for Water Amidst Growth

According to ICE Sustainable Finance, Kyle’s location in Hays County is expected to experience extreme drought conditions at least one-quarter of the time annually by 2040.

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This suggests that the growing population is having a negative effect on the city, and without proper management, the residents could face severe water shortages in the coming years. 

Crisis Point For Residents

The crisis reached a point last summer where residents were prohibited from washing their cars at home and using water for construction, and restrictions were placed on sprinkler and hose use. 

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Many residents rely on hoses to keep their home’s foundations moist to prevent cracks and settling caused by the intense heat.

Resident Concerns

Stephanie McDonald, 62, who moved to Kyle in 2015, expressed concern over her home’s foundation due to dwindling water supplies.

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Houses

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During a spring city council meeting, McDonald highlighted the insufficiency of water for the growing number of new homes being built.

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Surge in Water Demand and Rising Utility Bills

A city engineering report revealed that last year, water demand in Kyle during peak times surged to 4,382 gallons per minute, up from just 571 gallons in 2021.

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As water sources have dwindled, utility bills have increased, with the minimum household water bill rising by an average of 6.8 percent annually from 2021 to 2022.

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City’s Response

In response, the city purchased water rights from San Marcos in April, tapping into the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.

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Mayor Travis Mitchell has been addressing the water issue, noting that the restrictions have already contributed to savings. “Right now, we’re trying to expand our water portfolio because of the rapid growth of our city,” Mitchell told KXAN.

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Extreme Heat and High Humidity

Aside from rapid growth and water shortages, Kyle is also suffering from extreme heat, leading residents to venture outside only early or late in the day. 

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The combination of high temperatures and severe humidity makes it difficult for people to cool down. Future shortages of water could further intensify these problems. 

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Scoring Temperatures in Austin

Last year, temperatures in Austin reached a scorching 118 degrees, and this year, they reached 115 degrees, which suggests the region should expect high temperatures in the coming years.  

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Emergency personnel responded to 125 heat-related calls in May alone, more than double the previous year’s total.

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Severe Health Impacts

John Tuners, medical director of four emergency and urgent-care facilities, recounts several health problems associated with the rising heat in Austin and Kyle. 

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“I had people working in factories or at an Amazon warehouse taking precautions and going to work with a big jug of water, and they still ended up in renal failure,” he said

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The Severity of Dehydration

Due to the increased heat, many people living in Kyle and Austin have suffered from renal failure, which arises from severe dehydration, while others faced rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition causing muscle tissue to break down.

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Health problems of this nature will only increase in the coming years, and the only way to combat it is with adequate hydration. 

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New Pipeline to Boost Water Supply

A new pipeline, expected to be completed by February 2025, is being constructed to address the water needs. 

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“Our current supply of water is around 5.7 million gallons a day. [The pipeline] is going to add an additional 1.7 million to that,” said Mike Murphy, Kyle’s director of water utilities.

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2 Million Additional Gallons of Water Per Day

Murphy explains that the $250 million pipeline is projected to supply the city with 2 million additional gallons of water each day by 2027. 

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This will benefit the city of Kyle and its neighbors, San Marcos and Buda, for at least the next five decades.

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Concerns and Sustainability Efforts

However, Robert Mace, executive director at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, isn’t certain the introduction of the new pipeline will be enough. 

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He predicts that the pipeline might run out of water much sooner, possibly within 10 to 20 years, as other suburbs like San Antonio and Austin tap into the supply.

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Kyle Begins to Explore Alternative Options to Solve Its Water Crisis

The city of Kyle is now exploring wastewater recycling for commercial and agricultural uses and requiring new homes to use low-water landscaping, aimed at solving its looming water crisis. 

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However, whether or not these solutions will be enough to avoid a crisis in the future is yet to be determined.

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Private Initiatives

Residents like Bob Gregory are taking action themselves. Gregory has begun desalinating brackish water, aiming to sell it next year.

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“It’s a matter of time before the price of water will go up to offset the price I pay for desalination,” said Gregory, owner of Texas Disposal Systems.

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Recent Developments and Economic Growth

Kyle has also seen recent developments, including a new 308,000-square-foot Amazon sorting center and a nearby Tesla mega factory. 

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An Amazon spokesperson noted that the new facility maintains an average internal temperature of 74 degrees, with no reported heat-related illnesses from 2023-2024.

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Residents Frustrated With the Population Surge

Other new additions include a Sprouts Farmers Market, various dollar stores, and a flagship workshop for XCharge Technologies, an electric vehicle charging company. 

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Despite the city’s revenue quadrupling to $65 million with the influx of residents and businesses, some locals are frustrated with the population surge.

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Positive Effects on the Local Economy

Mitchell has spoken out about the negative comments centered on the population surge in Kyle, claiming that it has positively affected the local economy. 

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He explains that economic growth is all about demand, adding, “We don’t get to choose between moderate or slow growth.” According to Mitchell, municipalities are also restricted so far as curbing construction is concerned due to Texas law. 

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Heat-Related Challenges and Relocation Due to Overcrowding

According to Alex Stockton, who oversees construction in Kyle, local construction crews have been severely affected by the extreme heat, which poses a serious concern for their health. 

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“I’ve seen people completely black out. I’ve blacked out myself,” he said. 

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Construction Workers Struggle to Work in the Heat

During work hours, Stockton’s crew members receive one 30-minute break per shift, but Stockton monitors them closely and allows additional rest if needed. 

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“A lot of companies don’t like that style. They come by and say, ‘Why’s he sitting there?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know, so he doesn’t die?’” Stockton said.

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Residents Begin to Relocate

Bill Curran, who moved into a new Kyle home in 2022, has moved to Austin due to the heat and overcrowding. 

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Curran noted that his 45-minute commute grew to an hour and he could only work out early in the morning for safety reasons, so he decided to move to Austin, which better fitted his lifestyle. 

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The Future of Kyle

As Texans and other Americans continue to flock to Kyle, the municipality will have to take an active role in ensuring the region has enough water to support the growing population. 

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While the new pipeline may provide relief in the coming decades, if the population continues to grow at such an unprecedented rate, the city might begin to run out of water once again, sparking a severe crisis.

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