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SB 2123

Relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance to certain counties for brackish water desalination.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Judith Zaffirini

SB 2123 authorizes Texas Water Development Board to fund brackish water desalination projects in select counties, creating alternative water supplies for drought-prone regions.

Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
#disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #environment--water(i0320) #specialdistricts&authorities--groundwaterconservedist.(i0013) #specialdistricts&authorities--water&utility(i0755) #statefinances--management&control(i0748) #waterdevelopmentboard #texas(v2481) #water--development(i0875) #water--general(i0885)
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Bill Summary · SB 2123

Legislative bill overview

SB 2123 expands the Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) authority to provide financial assistance specifically for brackish water desalination projects in certain counties. The bill enables the TWDB to fund infrastructure and technology that converts brackish groundwater—which is too saline for traditional uses but more abundant than freshwater in some regions—into usable water supplies through desalination processes.

Why is this important

Texas faces increasing water scarcity, particularly in areas where traditional freshwater sources are depleted or over-allocated. Brackish water desalination offers an alternative water supply for counties with abundant brackish aquifers, potentially reducing dependence on surface water and interstate water compacts. This targeted financial assistance could accelerate adoption of desalination technology in water-stressed regions while distributing costs through a state development board rather than placing the full burden on individual counties.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and fiscal impact: Desalination is capital-intensive and energy-expensive; concerns exist about whether state financial assistance creates unsustainable long-term operational costs for participating counties or sets precedent for expanding TWDB subsidies
  • Geographic favoritism: The bill's limitation to "certain counties" raises questions about which counties qualify and whether selection criteria are equitable or driven by political influence
  • Environmental trade-offs: Desalination produces concentrated brine as a byproduct; disposal methods and environmental impacts on receiving water bodies warrant scrutiny regarding who bears those costs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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