Texas lawmakers propose billions for water infrastructure overhaul
(UI) — Texas lawmakers are pushing for a dedicated billion-dollar annual investment in water infrastructure to secure the state’s water supply, according to KBTX. A key proposal, Senate Bill 7, would fund new water sources such as desalination and aquifer storage rather than relying on groundwater transfers from rural areas to cities.
Lee County Judge Frank Malinak and other rural leaders have voiced concerns that excessive groundwater pumping is straining local aquifers. They argue that past studies underestimated the long-term impact, leaving rural communities at risk.
Advocates say the bill represents a shift from traditional water policies, which have often prioritized urban demand. Andy Weir of the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund told KBTX that tighter funding controls could prevent further depletion of rural water resources.
Another key issue is municipal water loss. A proposed measure, House Bill 29, aims to hold cities accountable for leaking pipelines after reports showed that some urban areas waste significant amounts of water—sometimes as much as they extract from rural aquifers.
With the legislative session ongoing, rural leaders are closely watching whether the proposed funding will prioritize sustainable water solutions over additional transfers, KBTX reported.
Related News
From Archive
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
- $1.4 billion Midwest pipeline expansion to move more Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
Comments