When it comes to facing existing issues in Texas, public policy plays a vital role in addressing and proposing a solution to an issue. Today, a significant issue being addressed through public policy is water shortage. The availability of water in rivers, lakes, and aquifers is diminishing due to excessively high consumption rates. Consequently, new plans are being proposed in order to provide citizens and businesses with sufficient amounts of water. Public policy is “…refers to the outputs of governmental institutions” (Champagne, Harpham, & Casellas, 2017, p.401). The public policy making process involves several key steps. First, a problem must be identified. Individuals from the political system and the community must evaluate and understand how an issue may be addressed (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.401). Secondly, a policy is formulated. This step allows all unknown aspects of an issue to be clarified. Possible solutions may also become known at this step (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.401-402). Next is the implementation of an issue where, “…the goals of public policy along with the incentives or sanctions to support them are put …show more content…
Currently, “…59 percent of the water used in Texas comes from aquifers…” while the rest comes from rivers and lakes (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.432-433). Of the water available, 27% of it is being used by municipal areas. Furthermore, metropolitan areas rely on water consumption from aquifers (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.433). Both surface water and groundwater are being consumed for a handful of purposes. Such functions may include, livestock, mining, power, manufacturing, municipal, and irrigation (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.433). Regardless of the ways that water is being consumed, it is important to note that there is an expected water consumption of 82% by the year 2060 (Champagne et. al., 2017, p.433). Therefore, causing the issue of water