Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a $20 billion fund to strengthen the state’s water infrastructure and secure long-term water supplies. The measure allocates up to $1 billion each year from state sales-tax revenue between 2027 and 2047. The Texas Water Development Board will manage the fund and oversee the selection of eligible projects.
Half of the money will support new water-supply projects, including desalination, water reuse, and new reservoir construction. The remaining funds will modernize existing systems, replace aging networks, and expand flood-mitigation infrastructure across both rural and urban regions. The program aims to improve drought resilience, ensure reliable access to clean water, and sustain population growth across the state.
Lawmakers advanced the proposal with bipartisan support earlier this year. More than 70 percent of voters backed the measure in the November ballot, reflecting broad concern about water scarcity and infrastructure reliability. Officials said the fund will help Texas address the long-term challenges of drought, population expansion, and deteriorating facilities while protecting economic and agricultural activity.
Environmental groups expressed support for the investment but urged close oversight of project selection to prevent displacement and ecosystem harm. The Texas State Water Plan projects the population will increase by 22 million by 2070, while available water supplies may decline by 18 percent. The fund provides a stable revenue source to close that gap and strengthen statewide water management capacity.