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Ext. PublicationExploring Texas Water Challenges: Drought, Growth and Infrastructure | Podcast
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The Business of Government
Rapid population growth across Texas is intensifying pressure on water infrastructure that’s already in need of modernization. The latest episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, delves into the specifics of Texas’ water infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments and innovations. Hosted by Adam Jones, this episode features guest Jeremy Mazur, director of infrastructure and natural resource policy for Texas 2036, in a conversation about the state’s path toward sustainable water management — spanning legislation, technology and collaborative solutions.
Key Points:
- Texas faces significant challenges with aging and deteriorating water and wastewater systems compromising infrastructure reliability.
- Recent legislation, including Senate Bill 7, aims to allocate $20 billion over the next 20 years toward addressing these critical infrastructure needs.
- Innovative approaches are being adopted through technology advancements like desalination, regional collaboration and leveraging public-private partnerships.
Jeremy Mazur discusses the dual challenge of Texas being a drought-prone state and experiencing rapid growth, which necessitates expanding and diversifying the water supply portfolio. The conversation highlights how the state’s outdated systems lead to frequent boil-water notices and infrastructure failures, impacting communities across Texas. Senate Bill 7, signed into law recently, marks a significant legislative move, potentially channeling $20 billion into water infrastructure over the next two decades, contingent upon voter approval. This initiative aims to fill the substantial funding gap estimated at $154 billion needed over the next 50 years to stabilize the water infrastructure.
Innovation is a key focus for addressing these challenges. The podcast highlights how Texas plans to use technology such as desalination and water reuse. Additionally, a move toward regional solutions aims to reduce inefficiencies inherent in managing over 10,000 individual water systems. Collaboration with the private sector is seen as essential, with public-private partnerships emerging as viable solutions to propel infrastructure improvements further.
“The Texas legislature has provided the foundation for generational lasting, sustained investment towards our water infrastructure that I think in the long term will really right-size our infrastructure and correct some of the problems we’re facing,” said Jeremy.
Listen to the full episode for an in-depth understanding of Texas’ water infrastructure and what steps need to be taken for future sustainability.
Subscribe and listen to future episodes of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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