AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities for the 89th Legislative Session is nearing reality: a major investment in water.
On Monday, the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met to vote on Senate Bill 7. The bill, if approved, will add $1 billion a year for 50 years to the Texas Water Fund. Following public comment, the committee voted to move the bill forward to the Senate floor, where it will then see a vote.
The Texas Water Fund (TWF) is controlled by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Established three years ago, the TWF can be used to support projects that either generate new water supply, like the construction of desalination plants, or repair busted infrastructure.
The TWF was started with a billion dollar investment, but experts estimate that will not be enough to support the growing need for water in the 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 accounted for new industries, growing population, flood control strategies and replacing infrastructure.
A push for more water
Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, chairs the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs and has led the charge on SB 7.
The bill is one of two filed this session with a focus on growing the TWF. The other, House Bill 16 — written Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine — differs in a few ways.
Funds from both bills would be controlled by the TWDB board. They would determine which projects receive funds.
“There isn’t a silver bullet. We often say that silver buckshot. You know, it’s like a number of things. And infrastructure is one of them. Conservation is one of them. And more innovative, supplies of water is also one of those,” said Dr. Robert Mace, executive director and professor of practice in the department of geography, of the Meadows Center at Texas State.
Finding new water
Mace said one of the key parts of Perry’s plan is a focus on desalination. These plants take sea water and convert it into drinkable water.
“The Gulf is what allows me to sleep at night thinking about the future of Texas. Because I do see a future where we have, we have desalinated sea water coming up to our urban centers,” Mace said.
In Monday’s committee meeting, Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo backed the plan during the public comment period.
“We believe that regional water suppliers, like the city of Corpus Christi, are best positioned to develop new water supplies,” Guajardo said.
The city recently received approval to build a desalination plant. At least four are planned for the area.
Several people spoke out against desalination during the public comment period. Some focused on damage these plants can have to environments along the coast, while others had issue with the cost. Some speakers pushed back against the need to build new infrastructure that would be needed to carry the water from the coast to places like Lubbock.
“You know what’s more expensive than desalinated sea water? No water,” Mace said.
Mace is this month’s featured lecture at the University of Texas’ Hot Science Cool Talks lecture series. His session called “The Future of Texas Water” is scheduled for March 28 at 7 p.m. at UT’s Welch Hall. The event is free.
