Texas Moves to Secure Water for Future Growth with Senate Bill 7

Texas lawmakers are taking proactive steps to address the state’s growing water shortage with Senate Bill 7, a measure designed to secure water for the next 100 years. The bill, authored by Senator Charles Perry (R), chair of the Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee, directs $1 billion annually into the state’s water fund to support infrastructure projects aimed at expanding water supplies.

“Over the last two years, it’s been clear to me that cities are asking, ‘Are we going to have water for future development?’” said Perry.

The state is projected to face a water shortage of about 6 million acre-feet, roughly half of its current annual water usage, within the next 50 years. With certain regions already experiencing water stress, Perry stressed the urgency of addressing the issue now.

Some areas, particularly the Rio Grande Valley, have already felt the impact. Once a hub for agriculture, the region sees declining production due to reduced water supplies. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D) highlighted the challenges faced by local industries, such as the state’s only sugar mill, which closed due to water shortages.

“The capacity and supply of water from the Rio Grande River and its tributaries has gone down about thirty percent,” Hinojosa explained. “We have to be proactive ourselves and address this issue to make sure the economy continues to grow, and that people still have water to live.”

SB 7 aims to develop new sources of water by funding projects like desalination, aquifer recharge, and the construction of new reservoirs, though only for those projects that have already secured land and permits.

“We have used up all our freshwater systems. We have a water supply problem,” Perry said. He made it clear that the bill will not fund the transfer of freshwater between regions but will focus on developing new sources of water.

The bill also emphasizes regional cooperation. Texas is divided into 16 water planning regions, and SB 7 seeks to bring these regions together to create a coordinated statewide water strategy.

“This is the single most important thing for our state for the next 50 years,” said Senator Roland Gutierrez (D), praising Perry’s efforts to foster collaboration. “This is the most forward-thinking bill we’ve seen in an area where we used to fight each other.”

With the challenges of water infrastructure requiring long timelines and significant investments, Perry acknowledged that Texas is behind in addressing its water needs. “We’re 25 years behind,” he said, “but what we can do is start.”

SB 7 has already passed the Senate and is now under consideration in the Texas House.