Texas Legislature Advances Landmark Water Legislation, Unlocks Significant Funding for Water Infrastructure and Groundwater Science

(AUSTIN, Texas)—The 89th Texas Legislature has passed landmark legislation that positions the state for long-term water resilience, unlocking significant funding to address aging infrastructure, support new water supplies, and invest in local groundwater science as the state’s population growth intensifies pressure on water systems.
Senate Bill 7, authored by Senator Charles Perry, and House Joint Resolution 7, by Representative Cody Harris, pave the way for up to $1 billion annually in water infrastructure funding—pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

“We saw tremendous leadership from Senator Perry, Representative Harris, Senator Kolkhorst, and other water champions who carried the torch for our water future this session—unlocking critical, ongoing investment in both new supply and aging infrastructure, and making much-needed progress to improve groundwater management,” said Vanessa Puig-Williams, senior director of climate resilient water systems at Environmental Defense Fund.
In another important victory, the Legislature also secured $7.5 million in the 2026–2027 biennium to fund local groundwater science—an unprecedented investment led by Senator Kolkhorst and Representative Harris and supported by a large and diverse coalition of stakeholders.

Texas relies on groundwater for over half of its water supply, yet local Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs), tasked with managing aquifers using the best available science, have historically lacked state support for research. That’s now changing: the Texas Water Development Board will administer new grants through its Research and Planning Fund to support local-scale groundwater modeling, data collection, and scientific study. This effort marks a significant step forward in equipping local GCDs with the tools needed to understand, conserve, and manage groundwater resources.

“We’ve been encouraged by the growing interest in water issues from legislators this session, particularly with respect to protecting groundwater resources—which are a critical water supply for the state,” Puig-Williams said. “As attention grows, so too does the need for deeper education and stronger advocacy to ensure we have enough water for current and future generations.”

Looking ahead, the export of local groundwater supplies is poised to become an increasingly prominent issue. The newly adopted infrastructure package includes a provision restricting public funds from being used to export fresh groundwater from rural areas—a safeguard for local communities and their aquifers—but advocates warn that funding restrictions alone are not enough.

“To truly safeguard our groundwater, we need long-term, sustainable management practices backed by science-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative project development,” Puig-Williams added. “As Texas continues to navigate its water future, the 89th Legislature’s achievements signal a renewed commitment to careful, science-based stewardship of one of the state’s most vital resources.”