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.

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