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Our Research and Publications - Water Policy & Planning
Water Policy & Planning
September 15, 2026
Texas is facing a growing water supply gap, driven by rapid population growth, increasing demand, and intensifying droughts. Municipal water reuse offers one of the most significant and underutilized opportunities to help close that gap while strengthening drought resilience, supporting economic growth, and protecting rivers and aquifers. This report examines the role that water reuse can and will play in advancing statewide sustainability, including the role water reuse plays in the State Water Plan, case studies for successful water reuse planning and implementation, opportunities for accelerating water reuse, and policy recommendations at the state and local levels to help scale water reuse.
June 1, 2026
The rapid proliferation of data centers and other large tech facilities across the country has raised concerns about water consumption and how the economic benefits of a quickly growing industry can be balanced with responsible measures to safeguard limited water supplies. Texas is at the forefront of this national conversation. Recognizing the high stakes at play, Texas Living Waters and Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) have developed the following recommendations to support the Legislature’s commitment to securing Texas water for future generations and the state’s continued prosperity.
May 18, 2026
We are pleased to share Texas Living Waters Impact Report, 2025: A Historic Year for Water in Texas. Last year, the Texas Legislature and voters approved historic funding for water infrastructure and new water supply – $20 billion over the next 20 years. This is the largest dedicated state-funding for water in US history! See how the TLW coalition was involved in this and other water policy advances by engaging with state agencies, testifying at the Capitol, publishing timely policy papers, and framing the issue in the media. In our impact report, we highlight ongoing work to advance knowledge on important and timely topics, such as seawater desalination, produced water, water conservation and water loss mitigation, and data centers and water use. We also share our work to bring people together to learn practical tools for One Water planning, to ensure water for wildlife, and to keep communities safe from flooding.
May 20, 2025
Water conservation and water loss mitigation offer the potential to save significant volumes of water, thereby extending supplies and offsetting the need for larger and more expensive infrastructure. Recognizing the importance of these strategies, Texas water utilities are planning on saving over 270,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2034 – enough water to meet the annual water needs of 1.7 million Texans. Learn how utilities will meet these goals and how decision makers can support their efforts.
April 15, 2025
Texas’ population growth and recurring significant droughts coupled with increasingly stressed water supplies have driven state lawmakers to focus on developing and investing in new water supplies, including produced water. Produced water is the wastewater byproduct that exits the production well along with oil and gas for the life of the producing well. As Texas decision-makers look at ways to manage this waste stream and any potential alternate uses, we must recognize there are many knowledge, regulatory, technological and cost gaps to be addressed to ensure healthy communities, protection of water resources and cost effectiveness. Download our Produced Water Fact Sheet and Paper to see how decision-makers can help ensure responsible deployment of new supply strategies such as produced water so that our Texas communities, waterways and wildlife can thrive.
April 2, 2025
The population and economy of Texas are growing at an unprecedented rate and to meet increasing water demands water planners and the Legislature are a considering diverse portfolio of supply sources to meet those needs. As decision-makers and communities consider seawater desalination as part of Texas’ water supply portfolio, we must ensure that meeting Texas’ water needs does not to compromise the health of Texas’ productive and treasured bays and estuaries.
Download our Desalination Paper to see how decision-makers can help ensure responsible deployment of new supply strategies such as seawater desalination so that our Texas coast, communities and wildlife can thrive.
January 15, 2025
The 89th Texas Legislature comes at a decisive moment for the state’s water future. Legislators will have the opportunity to secure and build upon positive outcomes from prior sessions while considering new legislation and investments of state resources. From water supply to flooding, new supply to leaky pipes, our state’s water-related needs are as substantial and complex as one would expect in such a large state. We seek to ensure Texas is equipped to meet these challenges in a manner that maximizes positive outcomes for its people and ecosystems.
Download our 2025 Legislative Agenda to see how lawmakers can make this a transformative session for Texas water!
December 15, 2022
The 88th Legislative Session of Texas comes at a decisive moment for the state’s water future. Our water infrastructure is aging and ill-equipped to deal with the rapid rise in population. Development over aquifers and wetlands threatens our water supply and natural flood protection. Climate change continues to intensify drought, floods, and heat. We call on the Legislature to seize the momentum and become water champions for Texas by: 1) investing in our water infrastructure, 2) addressing water loss, 3) strengthening the role of state agencies in protecting our water resources, 4) enhancing Texas’ resilience to drought and flooding, and 5) preserving Texas’ natural heritage by prioritizing protection of waterways.
Download our 2023 Legislative Agenda to see how lawmakers can make this a transformative session for Texas water!