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10 Document(s) [ Subject: Water desalination ]
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Coastal barrier systems | Flood control | Groundwater | Groundwater pollution | Gulf Coast Protection District | Interbasin water transfers | Water desalination | Water districts | Water supplies | | |
| Library Call Number: | ||
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View report [38 pages File size: 2,424 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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| 2. | Explore ways in which the state can further support the construction of a coastal barrier system. | |
| 3. | Examine the condition of Texas’ water and flood mitigation infrastructure capabilities and consider future infrastructure needs. Evaluate sustainable funding sources to provide for water project development and infrastructure repair and replacement. Examine and make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that enhance the state’s available water supply and improve the state's ability to desalinate seawater. | |
| 4. | Examine the state’s groundwater management policy and regulatory framework. Include a review of large-scale water transfers and their impact on groundwater resources. Make appropriate recommendations for legislation or state agency action to:
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| Supporting documents | ||
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Committee meeting testimony, August 24, 2022 | |
| Library Call Number: | ||
| Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
| Online version: | View document [34 pages File size: 188 kb] | |
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Coastal restoration | Environmental flows | Groundwater | Gulf Coast | Oil spills | Texas State Water Plan | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water marketing | Water planning | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.84 N218h | |
| Session: | 84th R.S. (2015) | |
| Online version: | View report [51 pages] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Examine the regional and state water planning processes, with emphasis on the following: a. the integration of HB 4, 83 RS; b. the appropriate role of the state in ensuring that the process both supports regional goals and priorities and the water needs of the state as a whole, and how the state might encourage strategies to benefit multiple regions; c. the structure and operation of the regional planning groups; d. the interaction between the planning process and groundwater management; e. whether the "drought of record" remains the appropriate benchmark for planning; and f. any impediments to meeting the conservation, agricultural, and rural project goals set by HB 4, 83rd R.S., and possible new approaches to help meet these goals. | |
| 2. | Evaluate the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits and challenges of expanded markets for water. Include an evaluation of greater interconnections between water systems through both engineered and natural infrastructure. Examine opportunities for incentives from areas receiving water supplies to areas providing those supplies that could benefit each area and the state as a whole. | |
| 3. | Analyze the factors contributing to freshwater loss in the state, including evaporation, excess flows into the Gulf of Mexico, and infrastructure inefficiencies, and examine techniques to prevent such losses, including aquifer storage and recovery, off-channel storage, and infrastructure enhancements. | |
| 4. | Evaluate the progress of seawater desalination projects near the Texas coast as a means of increasing water supplies and reducing strain on existing supplies, building on the work of the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination (83rd session). Examine the viability of the use of public-private partnerships and of methods by which the state might facilitate such a project. | |
| 5. | Monitor the use of funds made available to Texas in relation to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Consider approaches to maximize the benefit of these funds for the long-term stability of the coastal economy and ecosystems. | |
| 6. | Evaluate the status of legislation to encourage joint groundwater planning, including HB 200 (84R), and monitor ongoing legal developments concerning ownership and access to groundwater and the impact of these developments on property rights and groundwater management. | |
| 7. | Determine the sources of water used by Texans in the production of food and fiber, and examine current water delivery methods and water conservation goals for agricultural use. Evaluate whether there are more efficient and effective water-usage management practices that could be employed in the agricultural industry, and determine the impact of crop insurance requirements on producers. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock) | |
| 8. | Determine if sufficient safety standards exist to protect groundwater contamination from disposal and injection wells. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Energy Resources) | |
| 9. | Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs; and e. review the surface water permitting process in Texas, including previous legislative attempts to modify the process, and assess the potential effects of these and other changes. | |
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Coal mining | Droughts | Electric power plants | Electricity supplies | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | General Land Office, Texas | Hydraulic fracturing | Irrigation | Natural gas production | Oil production | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Uranium mines | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water Development Board, Texas | Water planning | Water rights | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.82 N218h | |
| Session: | 82nd R.S. (2011) | |
| Online version: | View report [184 pages] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Monitor the ongoing statewide drought and the performance of state, regional, and local entities in addressing it. Examine the impact of the drought on the state water plan, including an evaluation of how well the state's existing water resources can meet demand, the need for additional funding sources to implement the plan, and the effectiveness of current drought planning and drought management policies. Identify short-term and long-term strategies to help the state better cope with drought and assess any obstacles, including state and federal regulations, to implementation of these strategies. | |
| 2. | Examine the interplay of water and energy resources and needs in the state. Study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of water use in energy production and exploration, including the impacts of this use on regional and state water planning. Determine the current and likely future water needs of power generation and energy production, and evaluate options to develop new or alternative supplies. Include an evaluation of current issues involving water use for oil and gas production and related water quality issues. | |
| 3. | Evaluate the status of desalination projects in Texas. Include an evaluation of the regulation of brackish groundwater and whether opportunities exist to facilitate better utilization of this groundwater to meet future needs. | |
| 4. | Study ways to enhance incentives for water conservation in agricultural irrigation. | |
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Natural Resources, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature | |
| Subjects: | Droughts | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Texas State Water Plan | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water planning | Water service | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.81 N218h | |
| Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
| Online version: | View report [89 pages File size: 879 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Evaluate groundwater regulations and permitting processes throughout the state, including the role of state agencies in groundwater management, the development of desired future conditions, and the adoption of groundwater management plans in relation to regional and state water planning. | |
| 2. | Monitor the effects of current and proposed federal initiatives that could impact the implementation of the State Water Plan. Evaluate the policies and investments developed by other states dealing with water issues similar to the State of Texas. | |
| 3. | Monitor ongoing drought conditions and initiatives to promote water conservation through the review of the following: state requirements for the submittal of water conservation plans and annual reporting; the "trigger" for use of drought contingency plans; recommendations by state agencies and the Water Conservation Advisory Council; and progress toward the development of recycled water resources and desalination projects. | |
| 4. | Evaluate the regulatory model for investor-owned water and sewer utilities, including rate case process and timing, consultant fee recovery, overall cost reductions, and more effective consumer participation. | |
| 5. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
| Supporting documents | ||
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Testimony, Aquifer Group, LLC, A Discussion of Solutions, March 9, 2010 (Subject: Aquifer Storage and Watershed Restoration Can Sustainably and Economically Augment Groundwater Supplies and Environmental Water Flows if the State Provides an Adequate Regulatory Framework) | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Minutes | |
| Library Call Number: | L1801.9 N218H 81 2010: MAR 9 | |
| Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
| Online version: | View document [17 pages File size: 26,248 kb] | |
| Committee: | Senate Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report - Salinity of Surface Waters and Groundwaters in Texas | |
| Subjects: | Water desalination | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.80 N219s | |
| Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
| Online version: | View report [61 pages File size: 14,407 kb] | |
| Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
| 1. | Inventory and analyze bodies of water with high salinity. Explore new technologies and approaches to reduce salinity in the state's surface and groundwaters. Examine the need for state action to address salinity levels in surface waters of the state. Include an assessment of the following:
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| Committee: | Senate Water Policy, Select | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | The Senate Select Committee on Water Policy interim report to the 79th Legislature. | |
| Subjects: | Edwards Aquifer Authority | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Groundwater | Junior water rights | Rule of capture | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water marketing | Water planning | Water quality management | Water rights | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.78 W291p | |
| Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
| Online version: | View report [166 pages File size: 5,373 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Study all issues related to ground and surface water law, policy and management, including, but not limited to: the role of federal, state, regional and local governments, and their coordination in setting consistent, nondiscriminatory water policies; the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as it relates to water contracts; the role of the Edwards Aquifer Authority; the role of groundwater conservation districts; regional water planning process; conjunctive use of both ground and surface water resources; rule of capture; historic use standards; water infrastructure and financing; interbasin transfers; junior water rights; conservation; water quality standards; drought preparedness; and water marketing. | |
| 2. | Monitor the three on-going demonstration desalination projects by the Texas Water Development Board as one step toward securing an abundant water supply to meet Texas' future water supply needs. Study regulatory barriers that impair cost effectiveness of desalination (coastal and brackish) and how to facilitate use of this water source by municipalities. | |
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Report of the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee : a report to the House of Representatives, 65th Texas Legislature. | |
| Subjects: | Edwards Aquifer | Groundwater | Rule of capture | San Antonio, Texas | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water Development Board, Texas | Water districts | Water marketing | Water planning | Water Quality Board, Texas | Water rights | Water Rights Commisssion, Texas | Water supplies | Weather modification | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.64 n219 | |
| Session: | 64th R.S. (1975) | |
| Online version: | View report [60 pages File size: 1,912 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Study resouce depletion and the need for water within the state. | |
| 2. | Study underground water laws as they relate to withdrawal and sale. | |
| 3. | Review water rights adjudication act procedures. | |
| 4. | Consider the need for revision in the laws governing groundwater districts, levee improvement districts, water control and improvement districts and irrigation districts. | |
| 5. | Study San Antonio Water Supply problems. | |
| 6. | Consider the possibility of amalgamating the water agencies. | |
| Committee: | House Natural Resources | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Report of the Texas Natural Resources Study Committee. | |
| Subjects: | Water desalination | Water planning | Water supplies | West Texas | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.62 n219 | |
| Session: | 62nd R.S. (1971) | |
| Online version: | View report [17 pages File size: 632 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | The committee shall: (1) study the water situation in the state and the federal and state proposals concerning it; (2) study the changes that may be needed in state statutes concerning water protection and development; (3) study the organizational structure of all state water agencies and the administration of state laws relating to water; (4) study alternative methods of financing the Texas Water Plan; (5) hold hearings throughout the state, explaining the major water problems in the state and the proposals for solving them to those attending the hearings and consider alternative proposals from interested Legislators and the public; (6) review major water legislation enacted by the 62nd Legislature. | |
| 2. | Study the possibility of creating a West Texas Water plan to import water into West Texas and any other possible methods of alleviating the chronic water problems of West Texas. | |
| 3. | Study the feasibility of establishing facilities in Texas for the desalinization of salt water for agricultural, industrial, and personal consumption in the state. | |
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