The Start of a Solution: Funding, Policy, and the Future of Desalination

What will be put in place concerning the Texas water fund this year? In this episode, we explore existing memberships, conversations, and funding related to the Texas water supply. Join our hosts, Robert and Carrie, as they discuss current legislation regarding the water districts in Texas with Sarah Kirkle of the Texas Water Association.

First up, a little Q&A (01:55)  

• Carol Peters wants to know, is it true that local data centers will be using a lot of water as well as electricity? (02:03)

• Richard Lendly wonders how the current wave of deep budget cuts will impact “innovation and water supplies,” and [this] show which gets money from “NOAA” also concerned about schemes for moving large quantities of water across regions and even between states. (05:55)

Today’s Guest: Sarah Kirkle, Director of policy and legislative affairs at Texas Water Association (11:35)

• Carrie Thompson introduces our guest (12:40)

Sarah Kirkle shares water initiatives happening in Texas this year:

• The Big Ten: Sarah outlines various types of members of the Texas Water Association (TWA) and those who support their work. (14:13)

• Desalination in the HOUSE: Find out why investment in water infrastructure became TWA’s main priority. (16:58)

• The Big Splash: Sarah spills about how the 89th Legislative Session was the biggest water session in Texas history, 30 years in the making. (20:20)

• Signaling Around Water Transport: Conversations about the need for strategic pipelining and its impact. (32:37)

• The Real Work of River Authority: Sarah sets the record straight on the real role of water entities and how they fit into disaster response and emergency management for natural disasters in Texas. (36:35)

• The Dish on House Bill 1400: Sarah breaks down the budget and improvements for groundwater conservation districts outlined in HB 1400. (38:14) And Don’t Miss What’s Coming Next!

• Next Season: Join Robert and Carrie for a new season of Come Heck or Hot Water, focusing on factors, futures, and fundamentals of flooding in Texas.

Episode Links and Resources:

• Texas Water Association

• The 89th Texas legislature

• HB 1400

• Texas Desalination Association

Theme song: Come Heck or Hot Water by Robert E. Mace

We want to thank pixabay.com for providing the sound effects.

Learn more about the Meadows Center at ⁠meadowscenter.txst.edu⁠.