The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and Texas Water Foundation (TWF) announced Tuesday a new campaign aimed at enhancing water awareness across the state with funding from the Texas Water Fund.
Through a grant contract, the TWDB and TWF will create a statewide awareness campaign designed to educate the public about water. The campaign will account for the different water needs of various geographic regions and complement existing local and regional water education or awareness programs, including TWF’s Texas Runs on Water campaign.
“A statewide water campaign of this magnitude has tremendous potential to make a positive impact for generations of Texans to come,” said TWDB Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney. “The TWDB and Texas Water Foundation share a commitment to greater public understanding and appreciation of Texas water. The new campaign will further support communities in solving water challenges.”
The 88th Texas Legislature directed the TWDB to develop and implement a statewide water public awareness program with money from the Texas Water Fund, which led to the TWDB publishing a request for applications in March 2024.
After consideration of eligible applications, the TWDB Executive Administrator recommended TWF, and the Board approved executing a one-year, $2 million grant contract with up to four annual renewals not to exceed a total of $10 million.
Together, the TWDB and TWF will leverage the ongoing success of Texas Runs on Water and its network of water partners to design the new complementary awareness campaign.
“The decision to collaborate with the TWDB builds on more than two decades of vision and commitment from TWF and water champions dedicated to statewide investment in water education,” says Sarah Schlessinger, Texas Water Foundation CEO. “We’re proud that Texas Runs on Water has been recognized as a model for inspiring water awareness. This collaboration builds on our momentum as we continue investing in Texas’ most essential resource.”
In 2023, the 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 28 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 75 providing for the creation of the Texas Water Fund, a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund to be administered by the TWDB.
In addition, SB 30 authorized a onetime, $1 billion supplemental appropriation of general revenue to the Texas Water Fund, contingent on enactment of SB 28 and approval of SJR 75 by voters. Proposition 6 (the proposition for SJR 75), creating the Texas Water Fund to assist in financing water projects in Texas, passed on November 7, 2023, with more than 77 percent in favor.
The Texas Water Fund is not a new financial assistance program itself; rather, it allows the TWDB to provide funding through certain existing financial assistance programs and the newly created New Water Supply for Texas Fund.
The mission of the Texas Water Development Board is to lead the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. Our mission is a vital part of Texas’ overall vision and the state’s mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state’s natural resources, health, and economic development.
The TWDB’s main responsibilities are threefold: collecting and disseminating water-related data; assisting with regional water supply and flood planning that contributes to preparing the state water plan and state flood plan; and administering cost-effective financial programs for constructing water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.
Since 1957, the TWDB has been charged with addressing the state’s water needs. The TWDB works to ensure Texans have access to sufficient, clean, and affordable water supplies that foster a healthy economy and environment.