Abbott’s pitch comes amid water security challenges in Texas. The state’s six largest cities lost about 88 billion gallons of water in 2023 because of aging infrastructure and extreme heat, the Texas Tribune reported. A booming population has also strained water systems.
Abbott asked the state legislature to allocate $1 billion a year over 10 years to fund new water supplies and repairs on existing pipes. Abbott also advocated for investing in existing rural water programs, developing new water supply strategies, and creating a long-term funding stream for critical water infrastructure.
These proposed investments are intended to support Texas’ water infrastructure and supplies for the next 50 years.
Texas lawmakers can’t typically pass legislation during the first sixty days of the session. However, since Abbott determined water security funding to be an emergency item, lawmakers can immediately vote on related measures.
The Texas Senate and House have so far both earmarked $2.5 billion in their respective budgets for water infrastructure funding. These budgets aren’t final and may change by the end of the session.
We will monitor water infrastructure funding as it moves through the Texas Legislature and provide updates as it is finalized.