The Texas Water Development Board has adopted the 2017 State Water Plan. Based on regional water plans, the 2017 plan addresses the challenges faced by a growing population and economy.

The Texas Water Research Network is being sponsored by the Environmental Science Institute at UT-Austin. The goal of this network is to facilitate collaboration and communication between science and policymakers. They are participating in a five-year study sponsored by the National Science Foundation, and including faculty, scientists, and stakeholders from fifteen Texas universities. This group will study water resilience in the rapidly expanding urban corridor that stretches from Dallas-Fort Worth down to the Rio Grande Valley.

A critical need scientists and policymakers are addressing is planning for new water infrastructure and technology development. In order to meet the needs of a burgeoning economy, with associated increases in population and changing land use, state water policy needs to both access new sources of water and to increase water conservation efforts. Capital costs for infrastructure and water development over the next fifty years are estimated at $53 billion.

Texas' urban corridor is an area of particular interest to planners and scientists, as this area will feel the greatest impact from increased development, changing land use, climate change, and population. The 100th Meridian Study will look at water resiliency along this urban corridor. Scientists will try to assess how policy, infrastructure development, and technology can meet the water-needs challenges of a growing economy.

An interactive map of the online Texas Water Plan can be found at the Texas Water Development Board.

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