Texas Water: What's New? What's Next?

Friend,

Texas leaders continue to make steady progress on our state’s long-term water security. New funding tools, smarter planning efforts, and innovative solutions are helping address the challenges of drought, population growth, and increasing demand.

Last session, the Legislature created the Texas Water Fund through Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7, which voters strongly approved as Proposition 4. This provides a dedicated stream of approximately one billion dollars per year for the next 20 years to support critical water projects across the state. The Texas Water Development Board has already committed 3.6 billion dollars in 2025 for water supply, wastewater, and flood protection initiatives. We are expanding eligibility for innovative projects and increasing stakeholder input to ensure these resources are used effectively.

The current State Water Plan highlights a significant shortfall, projecting around 173 billion dollars needed for water supply projects in the decades ahead. To meet this challenge, we are focusing on stronger regional planning and timely infrastructure development. Delays in projects, such as desalination in Corpus Christi, have shown how political and regulatory hurdles can increase future costs and place added pressure on groundwater resources in surrounding areas.

Texas remains firmly committed to protecting private property rights under the rule of capture. At the same time, responsible management through Groundwater Conservation Districts is essential. We are reviewing ways to address unregulated “white areas,” improve district training and consistency, and ensure fair oversight, particularly in rural parts of the state.

Growing industries are also part of the conversation. Data centers, artificial intelligence facilities, and other large users are increasing water demand in certain regions. Some operators are demonstrating highly efficient practices and investing in their own solutions, such as desalination. We are also exploring the potential of produced water from oil and gas operations, which generates more than 500,000 acre-feet annually. Ongoing research and treatment efforts, supported by possible incentives, could turn this into a valuable new supply source.

**Important Opportunity for Public Input on the Draft 2027 State Water Plan**

Recently, the Texas Water Development Board approved posting of the Draft 2027 State Water Plan for public comment. This is the state’s 12th water plan overall and the sixth developed through our collaborative regional water planning process. It marks 25 years of stakeholder-driven planning involving 16 regional water planning groups with hundreds of volunteers and extensive public input.

The 2027 plan serves as a roadmap for managing and conserving Texas water resources to meet future demands while supporting public health, agriculture, and natural resources. It identifies water needs, recommends nearly 6,700 water management strategies and about 3,000 projects, and outlines projected costs and sponsors. If fully implemented, these strategies would deliver approximately 2.7 million acre-feet per year in additional supply by 2030 and 7.6 million by 2080.

By 2080, conservation and reuse are projected to make up about 43 percent of new supplies (with conservation alone at roughly 30 percent), surface water development about 36 percent (including new reservoirs at ~9%), and other notable contributions including groundwater desalination (~3.7%), seawater desalination (~3.7%), aquifer storage and recovery (~3%), indirect/direct reuse (~18% combined), and various wells/other surface water options. Over half of water user groups recommend conservation. Strategies emphasize diversification, efficiency, and resilience. The total estimated capital cost is around 174 billion dollars. The plan reflects updated data showing lower overall water demands and needs compared to previous projections, thanks to better methodologies and conservation focus.

**My office would love for HD-73 voices to be heard** as we request public input on this important document. Water is a prominent issue within our district, and your feedback is monumental as we continue to push for the needs of constituents throughout the state.

Please submit written comments on the Draft 2027 State Water Plan HERE by 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2026. Additionally, a public hearing will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2026, in Room 170 of the Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, and via Teams (Meeting ID: 280 904 566 316 4; Passcode: fp9Lk2bs).

**Practical Solutions We Can All Support**

I am focused on practical, actionable steps that benefit our district and the state. One key area is reforming landscaping and HOA rules. Landscaping can account for as much as 70 percent of treated drinking water use. In the 89th session, I passed legislation to protect homeowners from unfair HOA restrictions and fines related to water-conserving practices, such as preventing penalties for brown grass during a drought.

We must continue protecting homeowners’ rights to plant native and drought-tolerant landscaping, prohibit HOAs from forcing water-intensive lawns, and eliminate costly design requirements that discourage conservation. Publishing county guides to native, drought-resistant plants would help families make smarter choices.

Diversifying our water portfolio is also essential—no single solution will suffice. We need a mix of conventional supplies, reuse, brackish groundwater, desalination, conservation, and new infrastructure.

**Near-term actions** include tightening subdivision approval rules to require proven water availability before platting, tracking regional demand, fixing leaks, expanding monitoring, reforming HOA barriers, and incentivizing rainwater capture.

**Long-term strategies** involve building and repurposing pipeline infrastructure, developing aquifer storage and recovery, expanding wastewater reuse, diversifying with brackish water and desalination, and leveraging tools like public improvement districts and state funding.

Water security is vital for our farms, businesses, families, and continued economic growth. The Legislature remains focused on balanced policies that protect property rights, promote innovation, and ensure reliable water supplies for all Texans. Regional cooperation and streamlined permitting will play key roles in our success.

**I would love for HD-73 voices to be heard** on the Draft 2027 State Water Plan. Please take a moment to submit your comments and consider attending the May 27 hearing—your input directly shapes our state’s water future.

I look forward to keeping you informed as we work together. We can be reached at 512-463-0325 or via email at carrie.isaac@house.texas.gov.

In Liberty,  

Rep. Carrie Isaac  

Texas House District 73