For decades, the news about water infrastructure in the United States hasn’t been good. Development, treatment facilities, delivery systems, and restoration of natural systems have all been severely underfunded. But now, there is good news. There is a lot of funding available for infrastructure improvement, including water infrastructure.

By 2070 it’s estimated that 50 million people will call themselves Texans. They will all need water. So will the places they want to work. So will pools and golf courses. They will want to eat, too, and that requires water. There are other demands, including the environment. More than 480 current residents already participate in our regional water planning groups. That is quite a welcoming...

Utility Directors are, as a rule, an independent group. Their main focus is on delivering quality water to their customers at an affordable cost. The only good rate increase is a planned one and that is with begrudging acceptance. Planned rate increases pay for higher operational costs. But the smaller the utility, the smaller the customer base, and the more those rate increases hurt. When there...

The unpredictability of rainfall is a major water supply problem. When it’s raining, we must find ways to capture and store it while leaving enough to sustain natural systems. But, often, there’s more rain than we or nature can absorb, resulting in flooding. On the opposite side of that concern is experiencing drought. One thing is certain, water security is essential, and there is no time for...