The DeCordova Marina showed the effects of the drought at Lake Granbury in DeCordova, Texas in this 2019 file photo.State lawmakers, in a surge of concern over Texas’ crumbling water infrastructure, passed a series of bills that will pump more than $2 billion into projects to improve the water supply and prevent flooding.
According to one estimate, Texas must spend $150 billion in the next 50 years to ensure enough clean water is available for its population. That’s $3 billion per year — a conservative projection of the investments the state needs to make to protect its water supply, according to the think tank Texas 2036.
Although this new funding is ultimately a drop in the bucket, it represents a major win for Texans. About $1 billion in funds for the water supply are tied to a constitutional amendment that is expected to go to voters in November. Voters should approve and create the Texas Water Fund so that this money can be disbursed.
The Texas Water Fund would be an umbrella fund that could transfer money to other funding pools such as the New Water Supply for Texas Fund, which could launch projects to get more water flowing in the state.