Texas voters approved Proposition 6 on Nov. 7, a constitutional amendment that creates the Texas Water Fund and authorizes a $1 billion investment into the fund to finance water projects and upgrade existing Texas water infrastructure.
According to the Texas Water Foundation, it's estimated Texas utilities have at least a $61 billion backlog of work to update and improve drinking water systems. An additional $12 billion worth of backlogged work exists in wastewater and stormwater improvement needs. The $1 billion in state funding will be used to offset some of these costs.
According to KBTX, the money will come from the state's economic stabilization fund.
So what are the priorities?
According to the Texas Water Development Board, "of the initial amount appropriated to the Texas Water Fund, the TWDB must allocate no less than 25 percent ($250 million) to the New Water Supply for Texas Fund." A portion of the money will be used for the following projects:
- water infrastructure projects, prioritized by risk or need, for rural political subdivisions and municipalities with a population of less than 150,000
- projects for which all required state of federal permitting has been substantially completed
- the statewide water public awareness program
- water conservation strategies
- water loss mitigation projects
The TWDB will prepare rules for each financial assistance program that is eligible to receive funds. Communities and other entities will then apply for financial assistance, and the TWDB will evaluate projects and disburse funds accordingly.
Provisions related to the Texas Water Fund will take effect Jan. 1, 2024. If you'd like to learn more, you can read about the amendment from the Texas Water Foundation here.