Investing in Tomorrow: Texas and the Water Challenge
Texas is investing billions to secure its water future—facing severe risks from drought, leaks, and pressure on agriculture and industry. French companies have a clear opportunity to contribute advanced solutions in infrastructure, treatment, and planning. The FACC is actively supporting this engagement to position French expertise at the heart of one of Texas’s most pressing challenges.
Why Water Matters More Than Ever
Texas’s impressive economic and demographic growth brings new opportunities, but also growing pressure on its water resources. The state faces a complex combination of factors including recurring droughts, declining aquifers, and aging infrastructure. In 2020, an estimated 136 billion gallons of water were lost due to leaks, breaks, or contamination risks, underscoring the need for more resilient systems.
Demand for water is increasing rapidly, driven by expanding cities, high-intensity agriculture, and fast-developing industries such as data centers and crypto mining. In many parts of the state, particularly in South Texas, agriculture is directly threatened by a lack of reliable water supply for irrigation. This puts producers at risk and highlights the urgent need for more sustainable management.
According to a recent Texas 2036 report, the state will require 154 billion dollars in water-related investment by 2050. Without long-term planning, this gap could compromise both economic resilience and environmental stability.
A Historic Response from the State
In 2025, the Texas Legislature took a major step forward with the approval of a 20-billion-dollar water infrastructure plan. This long-term strategy includes the creation of the Texas Water Fund, launched with an initial 2.5 billion dollars from the state budget surplus. A constitutional amendment to secure one billion dollars per year through 2047 is expected to be submitted to voters in November 2025.
The plan strikes a balance between developing new sources of supply such as desalination and investing in the modernization of existing infrastructure. While some aspects of the original proposal evolved through negotiation, the result is a comprehensive framework that reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge.
Recognizing the need for more data and regional insight, the state has approved 7.5 million dollars for new groundwater research. At the same time, collaboration between state and federal authorities continues to expand. A total of 2.9 billion dollars in new federal funding has been allocated to support 298 water projects across Texas. These efforts are coordinated with oversight from the Texas Water Development Board, which is also leading a series of public hearings to guide the implementation of these initiatives.
A Strategic Window for French Expertise
France has developed recognized expertise in water management, from advanced treatment technologies to smart infrastructure and leak detection. French companies are particularly experienced in delivering reliable solutions in arid or infrastructure-limited regions—conditions increasingly common in parts of Texas.
There is strong potential for collaboration. The French approach, which combines technical innovation with long-term planning and public-private cooperation, aligns well with the goals Texas is now pursuing. As the state moves forward with major investments, French actors are ready to engage with local stakeholders, share proven solutions, and contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable water future for Texas.
Texas Water 2026 | April 27–30
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