Industry, Policy Leaders, and Water Champions from Across Texas Unite for Texas Water Day at the Capitol
Nearly 300 water champions from across Texas gathered on Monday, March 3rd at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate Texas Water Day at the Capitol, a free educational event highlighting the state of Texas water and legislative priorities during the 89th Legislative session.
Hosted by Texas Water Foundation (TWF), the event focused on statewide water security and convened two panels with distinguished water experts to discuss the current policy focus on water infrastructure, supply, and funding. The event also featured keynotes from Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney and House Natural Resources Chairman Cody Harris.
“The goal of Texas Water Day is to support the prioritization of water during the legislative session and provide a way for legislators, staff, or members of the public to learn about the state’s most urgent water challenges,” said TWF CEO Sarah Schlessinger.
While water experts discussed the state of built, natural, and human infrastructure challenges in Texas, it was clear that the headline water policy discussion is expected to be constitutionally-dedicated funding for water infrastructure.
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Chairman Charles Perry has been a champion for dedicated funding and addressed Texas Water Day attendees at the event reception.
“Texas stands at a pivotal moment. For the first time, we have a real opportunity to establish a dedicated, long-term funding framework for water infrastructure—just as we did for transportation” said Chairman Charles Perry. “For Texas to address its regional scale water security needs, we must ensure predictable, reliable funding that meets the needs of our growing communities. The time to act is now.”
In her keynote address, Chairwoman Stepney spoke to the growing demand for water infrastructure funding, and the work the TWDB is facing to meet that demand.
“Since 1957, the TWDB has enabled Texas communities to implement necessary water infrastructure projects through our financial assistance programs, and each year we see greater demand,” said Chairwoman Stepney. “To date, our agency has committed more than $35 billion for water, wastewater, and flood projects across the state. We are proud to continue fulfilling our mission to ensure a secure water future for Texas.”
Participating throughout the day were also members of the Texas Water Caucus, a bicameral, nonpartisan educational platform supporting the next generation of water champions in the Texas Legislature. Among that leadership is the newly appointed Chairman of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee, Representative Cody Harris.
In his keynote, Chairman Cody Harris noted the urgency in addressing the state’s growing water needs this session. “If we don’t dig in and do the hard work of figuring out how to solve this problem for future generations of Texans, then we have done a huge disservice to the people who elected us”.
The program concluded with a group photo with attending members of the Texas Water Caucus and Water Day, followed by a reception.
Watch the full conversation here.
Panelists included:
Heather Harward, Texas Water Supply Partners
Sarah Kirkle, Texas Water Association
Jeremy Mazur, Texas 2036
Vanessa Puig WIlliams, Environmental Defense Fund
Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association
Dr. Margaret Cook, Houston Advanced Research Center
Billy Howe, Texas Farm Bureau
Julie Nahrgang, Water Environment Association of Texas
Jennifer Walker, National Wildlife Federation
Dr. Shane Walker, Texas Tech University
Sponsors and Partners of Texas Water Day at the Capitol included:
Municipal District Services / Aqualia
Texas Association of Water Companies
Association of Water Board Directors
Aqua Water Supply Corporation
Edwards Aquifer Authority
El Paso Water
Environmental Defense Fund
Johnson Petrov LLP
Ken Kramer
National Wildlife Federation
North Texas Municipal Water District
San Antonio Water System
Texas 2036
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
Texas American Water Works Association
Texas Living Waters Project
Texas Rural Water Association
Texas Water Association
Texas Water Infrastructure Network
Walker Partners
Water Environment Association of Texas
Water Reuse Texas
Halff
Water Finance Exchange
U.S. Pipe
Seven Seas Water Group