Texas water projects would get billions under bill headed to Governor

AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Legislation to bolster our state’s water supply is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. But the final decision on the multi-billion dollar plan rests in the hands of Texas voters.

Friday night, the Texas Senate accepted House amendments to Senate Bill 7. The bill would dedicate $1 billion in sales tax revenue toward the Texas Water Fund each year for the next 20 years. Those funds could be used for a variety of water infrastructure projects, such as fixing aging systems, building desalination plants, and expanding water supplies in our drought-prone state.

Nonprofit organization Texas 2036 estimates that the state will need more than $150 billion over the next 50 years to support growing demand. Their report was cited by supporters of the legislation, who noted the potential economic impact of inaction on water policy.

“If Texas doesn’t have enough water, or if we continue to suffer from the problems associated with aging, deteriorating drinking water and wastewater systems, we’re looking at a multi billion dollar hit to the state’s economy,” said Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy for Texas 2036.

Mazur said the report estimated $165 billion per year in lost GDP and economic damages due to insufficient water infrastructure.

Abbott made investing in water one of his priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. He is expected to sign the legislation, but there is one more step to make the plan a reality. The legislation proposes to amend the Texas Constitution, meaning Texas voters must approve a proposition in an election this coming November for the funding to take effect.

Mazur is optimistic that Texas voters will say yes. He noted strong support that passed a 2023 proposition to create the Texas Water Fund.

“What we find at Texas 2036 is that water, in political terms, is a winner,” Mazur said. “Our polling shows that there are strong majorities between both Republicans and Democrats that are overwhelmingly supportive of state investment in water infrastructure. So we’re optimistic of what this proposition will be, what the outcome of this proposition will be in November.”