A Critical Turning Point for Texas Water Policy
Texas invests $20B in a 20-year plan to protect the state’s water future. With rising heat, drought, and rapid growth, lawmakers took urgent action.
If left unaddressed, experts warn Texas could face a severe shortage by 2030, especially under prolonged drought. Fortunately, lawmakers showed bipartisan cooperation and shared an intense urgency to preserve water for future generations.
Major Infrastructure Investments Approved
The centerpiece of the state’s action is a $20 billion investment in long-term water infrastructure, conservation, and resiliency. From urban centers to rural counties, the funds aim to upgrade old systems, capture and reuse runoff, and manage drought more effectively.
Jennifer Walker, director of the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation, emphasized the unified effort: “Water is one of the few bipartisan issues left. There’s a strong coalition determined to get it right.”
Key Legislation Tackles Local Water Loss
Among the major wins under the Texas Invests $20B initiative is House Bill 29, which targets large water utilities serving over 150,000 connections. The bill mandates regular water loss audits, third-party data validation, and the creation of mitigation plans. Utilities that fail to comply will face financial penalties.
This measure is essential, as aging infrastructure and undetected leaks result in the loss of thousands of gallons each day. According to the National Wildlife Federation, 516 utilities could conserve enough water by 2034 to meet the annual needs of 1.7 million Texans through improved efficiency.
Conservation for Homeowners and Communities
Texas also passed House Bill 517, which prevents homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from penalizing residents for having brown lawns during water restrictions. Starting September 1, HOAs must align with conservation measures instead of enforcing outdated aesthetic standards.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1253 encourages smart growth. It waives water impact fees for developments incorporating conservation or reuse technologies—making it cheaper for developers to build responsibly.
Flood Mitigation Becomes a Water Source
In a creative approach, Senate Bill 1967 allows flood infrastructure funds to be used to capture, treat, and reuse stormwater and agricultural runoff. This multipurpose solution helps regions like South Texas address drought and flood challenges.
The Delta Region Water Management Project will be among the first to benefit from this initiative. Reclaiming floodwater offers a promising path to boost supply as the area’s population grows.
Strengthening Groundwater Protections
Texas draws more than half of its water from underground aquifers. But that supply is projected to decline by 32% by 2070. In response, lawmakers approved $7.5 million to help local groundwater conservation districts improve data collection and scientific modeling.
Moreover, Vanessa Puig-Williams of the Environmental Defense Fund noted that many groundwater districts operate on budgets under $500,000. As a result, this new funding will empower them to make better decisions, refine permits, and engage in long-term planning.
Additionally, a new measure prohibits using public funds to export fresh groundwater from rural communities—protecting local aquifers from depletion.
Protecting Clean Water from Pollution
Legislators also addressed threats to water quality. House Bill 3333, by Rep. Eddie Morales, bans wastewater discharge permits into the Devils River, a key water source for the Rio Grande.
Senate Bill 1302, by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, tightens regulatory loopholes. Companies with suspended discharge permits can no longer reapply through an automated system. Instead, permits must be manually approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), ensuring greater accountability.
Missed Opportunities in Desalination Research
While lawmakers made progress in infrastructure and regulation, not every proposal succeeded. House Bill 1501, which sought to study seawater desalination, and House Bill 3728, which aimed to regulate salinity impacts on coastal ecosystems, failed to pass.
Walker urged caution, noting that desalination while promising, can harm marine habitats if not carefully studied. “We need to be smart about how we pursue these options. Poor choices now could lead to irreversible environmental damage.”
Looking Ahead: Water as a Shared Responsibility
Texas Invests $20B marks a major step toward water security, but continued progress needs funding, innovation, and public support.