which water infrastructure can place on continued growth. As the towns of Marlin, Zavalla, and Toyah suffered from failed water systems, broken pipes and boil-water notices impaired business and civic activity in Odessa, Laredo, and Houston, to name a few places. Then there were the cold lessons from Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when electrical blackouts and water outages inflicted billions in economic losses. In his comments before signing SB 7 and HJR 7, Abbott noted that the water infrastructure investment contemplated by the legislation was essential toward making the state more robust for business activity and city life. The investments were also recognized as being needed to solve very real problems attributable to potential water shortages and failing infrastructure. What emerged from the 89th Legislature, and what Abbott signed in Lubbock, is arguably the most historic, consequential water legislation of this century. SETTING THE TABLE: TEXAS’ WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES Texas faces two major water infrastructure challenges. The first involves the need to expand its
water supply portfolio for a drought-prone and growing state. According to the 2022 State Water Plan, Texas faces a long-term water supply deficit of nearly 6.9 million acre-feet of water. If Texas fails to develop
the broad, diversified water supply portfolio needed for the next prolonged, severe drought, then as soon as 2030 the state will endure $160 billion in annual GDP losses, nearly 800,000 jobs lost, and an exodus of families seeking refuge — and water — elsewhere. These consequences rival those observed in Texas during the Great Recession of the late 2000s and the COVID-19 pandemic. The second water
infrastructure challenge entails addressing the aging, deteriorating, and failing drinking water and wastewater systems that are becoming liabilities to the communities that they serve. Here, stories about boil water notices, system failures, and even extensive water loss as reported by the Texas Living Waters Project and the National Wildlife Federation served
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