At last week’s Texas WestWater Forum, a panel of industry leaders explored one of the most exciting questions shaping the state’s water future: How can Texas leverage the proposed $20 billion investment in water infrastructure to unlock innovation and private capital? Featuring Bech Bruun of Texas Capital Securities, Michael Irlbeck of EPCOR Water, Sarah Kirkle of Texas Water Association, and moderated by Sharlene Leurig of WestWater Research, the discussion centered on how collaboration and private investment can accelerate progress toward a more secure and resilient water future.
The conversation highlighted several key challenges facing Texas communities. While the robust municipal bond market and proposed state funding offer critical support, panelists emphasized that smaller communities struggle to incorporate their projects into the State Water Plan, and local entities face significant hurdles in raising taxes and securing revenue for water projects.
Perhaps most striking was the panel’s observation that industrial demands—like Samsung’s Taylor project, which emerged within a five-year cycle of the state water planning process—are moving faster than traditional planning timelines can accommodate. With opposition to aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), desalination, and groundwater export complicating new supply options, panelists stressed that communities must weigh not just the cost of new water supply, but the potentially greater cost of not having adequate water. The consensus: things are moving much more quickly than Texas water planners are accustomed to, and private capital will play an increasingly vital role alongside public investment.
Texas is entering a pivotal era for water infrastructure. With a strong municipal bond market and an unprecedented commitment of public funds, the state is poised to become a national model for how private and public capital can work together to meet rising water demands.
The pace of growth in Texas underscores the need for flexible financing and innovative partnerships. Industrial expansions are reshaping local water needs within a single planning cycle. These rapid shifts create opportunities for investors to deliver adaptive, market-based solutions that strengthen both local economies and long-term water resilience.
At WestWater Research, we see a tremendous opportunity for private capital to play a central role in building the next generation of Texas water infrastructure. Our team provides data-driven insights on water rights, financing structures, and market trends that help investors identify and act on emerging opportunities in the Texas water sector.
