Texas lawmakers and voters have approved a $20 billion plan dedicated to funding critical water infrastructure projects over the next two decades. Starting in 2027, $1 billion annually from sales tax revenue will be allocated to the new Texas Water Fund to support the development of new water sources, repair existing infrastructure and fund flood control initiatives.
The state's current population of 31 million is projected to surge to 50 million by 2070, placing immense strain on current supplies. While the approved plan commits $20 billion, the nonprofit Texas 2036 estimates that the state actually requires an investment of approximately $154 billion to fully secure its long-term water supply needs in the face of this dramatic demographic expansion.
KC Plans for $2 Billion Water Treatment Facility
Kansas City, Missouri, is moving forward with plans for a second water treatment facility, which is expected to cost up to $2 billion. The new plant is intended to expand the overall water capacity available to customers, including the demands of four massive data centers being built in the Northland area.
The existing, century-old Briarcliff plant currently has 240 mgd capacity, a volume that is deemed sufficient for current general demand, according to KSHB News. The decision to build a second plant comes partly in anticipation of the immense consumption demands of the new data centers, which are projected to use millions of gallons of water per day. Although the city is starting the process to increase capacity, the introduction of these facilities and their high water usage has raised concerns within the Kansas City community.
Iowa Water Quality Study Shows Pollution Problem
A collaborative study by 16 scientists analyzing five decades of data from the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers has found that pollutant levels have nearly doubled over the past 50 years. These two waterways are the main sources of drinking water for Des Moines and Polk County, and the research, which focused on a significant increase in nitrates, was recently presented during a public discussion in Polk County.
In response to these findings, the research team is advocating for more counties across Iowa to conduct similar, in-depth water quality studies.
