Water infrastructure: 2023 TX Lege Agenda
Texas 2036 is hard at work drilling down into the policy issues that matter most to Texans. Here’s a look at our infrastructure priorities on water for the upcoming 88th Legislative Session.
Texas 2036 policy focus:
Our Infrastructure policy efforts: Texas’ growth correlates with accelerating infrastructure needs.
What we’re focused on:
- Water planning and infrastructure
- Regional water market frameworks
Water infrastructure:
Water infrastructure funding: The need to replace aging, deteriorating water infrastructure grows with each passing year. The Texas Legislature has a unique opportunity to create and capitalize a new fund dedicated to fixing our infrastructure problems and providing long-term solutions.
Why it matters: 88% of Texas voters are concerned that communities may not be able to meet water needs during a severe drought.
By the numbers: The Environmental Protection Agency’s estimate to repair Texas’ aging, depreciating infrastructure is $65 billion.
- In 2021, American Society of Civil Engineers graded Texas’ drinking water and wastewater infrastructure C- and D.
Regional water market frameworks: A regional approach to establishing water markets enables smarter water management strategies that lead to more efficient and effective water use.
Texas Voter Poll take: 84% of Texas voters support legislative action to create a fund to update aging water infrastructure. That’s not all:
82% of Texas voters agree that the state should increase investments to expand water supplies.
More coverage:
- Texas’ extreme weather calls for action
- Water crisis in Jackson, Miss. can happen in Texas
- Texas’ agriculture sector reeling from drought