New pipelines to end West Odessa’s long wait for running water

(UI) — After decades without access to reliable drinking water, families in West Odessa are one step closer to getting connected to the public water system, thanks to $17 million in new state funding, according to The Texas Tribune.

The funding, included in the state’s latest budget, will help build new pipelines and extend service to homes that have long depended on private wells. The money will be managed by Ector County officials, who also plan to spend $250,000 on a study to identify local infrastructure needs and apply for additional grants, as reported by The Texas Tribune.

The investment comes after years of advocacy from residents and local leaders, who say the growing unincorporated area still lacks the most basic public utilities. State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, who represents the district, said the funding acknowledges a critical need. “If there’s a clear need, I’m always going to ask and make that fight,” Landgraf said.

Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said the project won’t reach every home, but it’s a crucial start. He estimated that fully connecting West Odessa would cost more than $100 million. “The fact that residents are living without water is something I don’t think we should be having happen in 2025,” Fawcett said.

The $17 million allocation is part of nearly $600 million set aside by the Texas Legislature for water-related projects statewide — a major increase compared to 2023. It reflects growing awareness of the state’s massive infrastructure needs, as Texas faces an estimated $200 billion in water system improvements over the next 50 years.

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