Support HJR7: Sensible Solutions for Texas Water Funding

Population growth and intensifying droughts are putting increased pressure on Texas water supplies. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) projects an 18% decrease in water supply and a 9% increase in demand by 2070.

Funding is needed for water conservation strategies that offer immediate and sustainable benefits to Texas communities, such as infrastructure improvements, water reuse, and aquifer storage and recovery. Texas water infrastructure is in desperate need of funding. If all leaky pipes are fixed, Texas will save enough water to meet the annual needs of Fort Worth, El Paso, Austin, Lubbock, and Laredo, combined.

HJR 7 is a constitutional amendment, which, if approved by voters, will allow an investment of $1 billion a year to the Texas Water Fund. We support HJR 7 because it doesn’t specify how the annual investment should be allocated within the Texas Water Fund - giving TWDB the flexibility to direct funding where it’s most needed.

We also like that this amendment does not prioritize unproven new water supply strategies, such as seawater desalination and the reuse of oil & gas wastewater (produced water), whose long-term environmental and public health impacts remain uncertain.

Contact members of the Senate Committee on Finance to support HJR 7 and reject the proposed 80/20 split, which would send 80% of the $1B Texas Water Fund to unproven water supply strategies and leave just 20% for the water conservation, financial assistance, and infrastructure programs that have demonstrated effectiveness.

Sen. Joan Huffman - (512) 463-0117

Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa - (512) 463-0120

Sen. Carol Alvarado - (512) 463-0106

Sen. Paul Bettencourt - (512) 463-0107

Sen. Donna Campbell - (512) 463-0125

Sen. Brandon Creighton - (512) 463-0104

Sen. Pete Flores - (512) 463-0124

Sen. Bob Hall - (512) 463-0102

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst - (512) 463-0118

Sen. Robert Nichols - (512) 463-0103

Sen. Angela Paxton - (512) 463-0108

Sen. Charles Perry - (512) 463-0128

Sen. Charles Schwertner - (512) 463-0105

Sen. Royce West - (512) 463-0123

Sen. Judith Zaffirini - (512) 463-0121

Your elected officials at the Texas Legislature need to hear from you - call the Senate Finance Committee and send your message to your legislators now!

172

signatures of 0 goal

Continue

Title

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

Your Message

Subject

Default Subject Line
Customize Your Subject Line

Add a Personal Message

Personal messages make a big impact on decision makers. Please add a note about why this issue matters to you!

1000 characters remaining

Message

I am your constituent, and I strongly urge you to support House Joint Resolution 7.

Funding is needed for water conservation strategies that offer immediate and sustainable benefits to Texas communities, such as infrastructure improvements, water reuse, and aquifer storage and recovery. HJR 7 is a constitutional amendment, which, if approved by voters, will allow an investment of $1 billion a year to the Texas Water Fund. I support this necessary investment to provide safe, clean water to communities across Texas.

As your constituent, I ask that you support HJR 7 as opposed to SJR 66 - which would back Texas into allocating 80% of a $1 billion dollar investment to new water supply strategies - such as seawater desalination and reuse of oil & gas wastewater (produced water). I do not want my tax dollars going towards unexplored and expensive new water supply projects. We need to focus on infrastructure improvements and water conservation practices.

Please respond with your thoughts.

Thank you.

4000 characters remaining

By taking this action to protect the planet, you are affirming you want to receive regular Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board.