U.S. Geological Survey ground-water studies in Texas

Ground-water resources supply almost 60 percent of the freshwater used in Texas, excluding withdrawals for thermoelectric-power generation (less than 3 percent). About 73 percent of the ground water withdrawn is used for irrigation, about 17 percent for public supply, and about 7 percent for industrial, rural domestic, and livestock uses. About 8 million people, or 48 percent of the population of Texas, depend on ground water as a public or rural domestic supply. The dependence on ground water is greatest in the arid northwestern part of the State, where most of the water is used for irrigation. This area contains 70 percent of all irrigated land in Texas, and uses about 85 percent of the total ground water withdrawn for irrigation.