Texas Lawmaker Proposes Ambitious Plan to Tackle Water Shortages

Sen. Charles Perry's initiative seeks billions in state funding for desalination, infrastructure repairs, and a statewide water redistribution network.

• Sen. Charles Perry is drafting legislation to establish a dedicated stream of state funding for water infrastructure and supply projects, with an initial request of up to $5 billion annually.
• The proposal includes investments in desalination plants, repairing aging pipelines, and creating a statewide network to redistribute water to areas in need.
• Texas faces an estimated $154 billion water infrastructure funding gap by 2070, with population growth and industrial expansion driving increased demand.
• Conservation alone is insufficient to address the state's water deficit, prompting exploration of alternative sources such as brackish groundwater and seawater desalination.
• Environmental and logistical challenges, including brine disposal and opposition to large-scale pipelines, could complicate efforts to implement the plan.

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