What’s the Largest Source of Water in Texas?

Water is one of Texas’ most valuable resources, especially as the state continues to grow in both population and industrial demand. But what is the largest source of water in Texas? While Texas draws water from multiple surface and groundwater sources, the largest contributor remains surface water—particularly its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.

Surface water accounts for about 60% of the total water supply in the state, with the Colorado River, Rio Grande, and Brazos River being major contributors. These rivers are supported by over 190 reservoirs managed by regional water authorities, making surface water the backbone of municipal, agricultural, and industrial water use in Texas.

Spanning more than 800 miles, the Colorado River is one of Texas’ longest and most utilized water bodies. It provides essential water for agriculture, hydroelectric power, and major cities like Austin.

Forming the natural boundary between Texas and Mexico, the Rio Grande is another critical surface water source. It supports communities along the border and serves vital agricultural regions in the south.

Man-made reservoirs such as Lake Travis, Lake Livingston, and Lake Texoma help store and manage Texas’ water supply. These reservoirs are essential for drought resilience, flood control, and municipal usage.

Though surface water is the primary source, groundwater is not far behind, especially in rural and agricultural areas. The Ogallala Aquifer, part of the High Plains Aquifer system, is the largest groundwater reservoir in Texas, supplying water to the Panhandle and West Texas.

Groundwater is tapped through thousands of wells for irrigation, municipal, and industrial use, particularly where surface water is limited or unreliable. However, this resource is finite and is being depleted faster than it can recharge in many regions.

Texas faces mounting challenges due to climate change, population growth, and extended droughts, all of which place stress on existing water sources. This has prompted investments in alternative water solutions such as:

At ADVANCEES, we specialize in water treatment systems that support sustainability across Texas. From brackish water reverse osmosis systems to containerized desalination plants, our technologies are tailored to meet the growing water demands in industrial, agricultural, and municipal sectors.

Our Commercial Brackish Water Systems and Seawater Desalination Systems help convert alternative water sources into usable supply, reducing dependency on overstressed freshwater systems.