Texas Water Development Board

The Board meeting covered a wide range of financial and administrative actions, including the authorization for bond sales and the selection of financial and legal advisors. Various contracts were approved for IT modernization, system maintenance, and flood management systems. The Board also reviewed and authorized grant funding for flood mitigation projects and regional flood plans, as well as financial assistance for water system improvements for multiple utility districts and municipalities. Additionally, the Board conducted an executive session to discuss legal and financial matters.

This document outlines the Texas Water Development Board's implementation plan for House Bill 500, allocating $1.038 billion in grant funding for water supply and infrastructure projects. It establishes detailed eligibility criteria, funding caps per project based on population size, and project requirements. The plan prioritizes providing 100% grants due to financial constraints on leveraging bonds and sets a strict timeline for fund commitment by August 31, 2027, with project expenditure deadlines extending to August 31, 2031. It also addresses public comments received and highlights key issues related to funding transfer limitations, eligible entities, project types, and compliance standards.

The 2027 State Water Plan, Phase I, outlines a strategic framework for Texas to ensure water availability, prepare for drought conditions, and support economic development and natural resource protection. It details a 50-year planning period from 2030 to 2080, identifying approximately 6,700 water management strategies and 3,000 projects focused on conservation, reuse, and surface water development. This phase was developed on an accelerated schedule to meet 2026 SWIFT financial assistance commitments and includes legislative recommendations to enhance water planning and management processes.

This document outlines a comprehensive list of recommended water management strategies. It details various approaches such as municipal conservation, agricultural conservation, groundwater well development, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Each strategy includes projected supply volumes for specific water user groups and regions, spanning a planning horizon from 2030 to 2080, to support long-term water resource planning.

The board authorized the publication of the draft 2027 State Water Plan and the adoption of new administrative code. Key actions included approving the 2026 State Water Implementation Fund prioritization list and an amended fiscal year 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund plan. The board authorized several grant agreements with various municipal entities and water districts, and approved financial assistance resolutions for wastewater and water system improvement projects for the City of Grapeland, Haciendas Del Norte Water Improvement District, Manville Water Supply Corporation, and Sharyland Water Supply Corporation.