In Texas, water worries are affecting communities from east to west. People in Longview often buy bottled water because old, damaged pipes lead to frequent boil-water notices. Farther west, near Lubbock, farmers fear their groundwater wells might run dry. In North Texas, leaders and business owners are scrambling to find new water sources as the population grows quickly.
The state faces serious water challenges and experts warn that millions of Texans could see big shortages within five years if no action is taken. This fall, Texas voters are being asked to approve Proposition 4, a plan to invest $20 billion over 20 years in water projects. If passed, it would be the largest state water investment in Texas history.
The plan doesn’t raise new taxes. Instead, it would set aside up to $1 billion each year, starting in 2027, from existing state sales tax revenue — but only when overall sales tax collections exceed $46.5 billion. Texas has already met that threshold in recent years, and with continued growth, the money should be available annually.
A new Texas Water Fund would be created to pay for this work. The Texas Water Development Board would manage the money, which would be split into two main categories. One part would boost the water supply through projects like desalinating seawater and salty groundwater, fixing leaking pipes, recycling water (including water from the oil and gas industry), saving water through conservation, and building reservoirs. These projects align with the State Water Plan, which guides how Texas manages water needs and is updated every five years.
The other part would fund existing programs to improve flood control, reduce flood damage, keep drinking water clean, and help farmers use water more efficiently. The exact breakdown of spending between these programs will be decided later.
Some environmental groups liked the idea of fixing pipes and saving water but worry about new reservoirs. They caution that building reservoirs can hurt farmers and local residents by taking over their land. Janice Bezanson from the Texas Conservation Alliance said while the funding for repairs and conservation is great, the state should be careful about which projects get priority.
There is little formal opposition to the amendment, though a few conservative voices have questioned whether spending should be locked into the state constitution. To make sure the money is used responsibly, a special committee will oversee the Water Board’s use of funds and the public will be able to provide input.
Texas 2036, a nonprofit focused on Texas issues, recently reported the state needs nearly $154 billion over the next 50 years just to repair and improve water infrastructure. Of that, $59 billion would go to water supply projects, $74 billion to fix leaky pipes and other maintenance, and $21 billion to repair wastewater systems.
Water challenges vary across Texas. West and Central Texas and coastal areas need new sources of water, while East Texas deals with old, leaking pipes. In the Neches River Basin, about 17% of water systems are failing or close to it, leading to frequent boil-water notices.
A coalition of environmental groups called the Texas Living Waters Project says leaky pipes waste a huge amount of water — about 572,000 acre-feet a year, or 51 gallons per connection daily. Fixing these leaks could provide enough water for several big Texas cities combined.
A recent survey found that 76% of Texans support Proposition 4 once they understand it uses existing sales tax money for water improvements and involves no new taxes. That support is in line with last year’s vote, when nearly 78% of Texas voters backed the creation of the Texas Water Fund.
Election day is set for November 4. Early voting runs from October 20 to October 31, and those wanting to vote by mail must apply by October 24.
This vote is seen as a chance for Texans to help shape the future of their water supplies by funding projects that fix leaks, save water, and find new supplies. Local voices will have a say as the state moves forward with managing its water resources.