Water means something to Texans. We live in a hot, dry, often drought-prone state. National headlines from earlier this year about Corpus Christi possibly running out of water imparted a hard lesson that reliable water supplies are not permanently guaranteed here.
On top of this, Texas is a growing state with its own economic success story. Accelerating commerce, expanding business development, and more families calling Texas “home” requires more water infrastructure.
Texans know this, and have a strong undercurrent of understanding that our state’s survival and success hinges on water. This is why it means so much.
Data from Texas 2036’s recent Texas Voter Poll sheds a new light on what Texans are thinking when it comes to our water future. This poll did not gauge water worries or concerns. That territory has been plumbed before. Rather, our new poll asked Texans about what they want done to secure that future.
One question asked voters how likely they were to support a candidate running for office based on the candidate’s position on certain issues. Here, 81% of voters indicated that they were likely to support a candidate committed to building needed water infrastructure. Of the 13 policy positions polled — including affordability issues, border security, and education — water infrastructure development ranked among the Top 5 positions that would drive voter support for a candidate.
A separate question asked voters how important it was for the state to prioritize water projects. Eight out of 10 respondents (80%) replied that it was extremely or very important for the state to prioritize projects that support long-term economic growth. Another 78% of voters indicated that it was extremely or very important for the state to prioritize water projects that reduce the risk of communities running out of water.
Two Takeaways on Water Infrastructure
Two key findings emerge from these data. First, and politically speaking, commitments to taking action to build needed water infrastructure is a winner. Strong majorities of Republican, Democrat, and Independent voters alike expressed preferences for candidates committed to developing water infrastructure and the state’s prioritization of water projects. Indeed, a bipartisan consensus exists on the need for delivering water solutions.
Second, voters want action and purpose when it comes to Texas’ water future. Just as they want to see water infrastructure built, they want the state to play an active role toward prioritizing water projects that address the state’s long term challenges attributable to drought and growth. Together, these data suggest that voters are interested in the state becoming more strategic with regard to its water infrastructure planning.
Voters know Texas has water challenges. Political points will accrue to leaders who can deliver progress.
Looking forward, a genuine opportunity exists when it comes to the state’s water planning. A recent report by Texas 2036 found that the state’s water plans and planning process missed the mark when it came to the water crisis that arrived in Corpus Christi earlier this year. The report draws on the lessons learned from this shortcoming to make several recommendations aimed toward making the state’s water plans into actionable blueprints for future water infrastructure development.
Aligning both the plans and the planning process toward prioritizing and delivering needed water projects would go a long way towards meeting voters’ expectations for Texas’ water future.
Jeremy directs Texas 2036's work in the area of infrastructure and natural resources, which includes water, energy, and infrastructure resilience. Before joining Texas 2036 in 2021, he worked for over two decades in the Texas Legislature and in state agencies on water and energy matters.
