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Topic: Older Texas state water laws not included in the 1971 Texas Water CodeSource: Texas State Legislature – statutes.capitol.texas.govCovers: Pollution control, salt water disposal, bonds, taxes, eminent domain, and contractsReading time: About 2 minutes for this summary
Texas has a set of older state laws called the Texas Auxiliary Water Laws. These laws were never repealed or absorbed into the Texas Water Code when that code passed in 1971. They still apply today and cover important topics like water district management, pollution control, salt water disposal, bonds, taxes, and eminent domain. You can read the full text for free on the official Texas Legislature website.
The Texas Auxiliary Water Laws are a companion set of statutes that sit alongside the Texas Water Code and the Texas Special District Local Laws Code. Together, those three bodies of law form the main framework for water law in Texas. The Auxiliary Laws are organized into chapters. Chapter 1 covers the use of state water. Chapter 3 addresses water control and preservation districts. Chapter 11 covers general provisions. Key topics include contracts for pollution control, salt water disposal agreements, how water districts issue revenue bonds, eminent domain powers (the legal authority to acquire private land for public use), construction contracts, tax levies, and coordination with federal agencies.
Visit the free text on the Texas Legislature's official statutes website. Use the chapter structure to find the topic you need. If you are researching a local water district issue, start with Chapter 3 on water control and preservation districts. If your concern involves a bond or tax question, look for those sections specifically. For deeper legal research, third-party legal databases such as Justia also carry this text.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
The Texas Auxiliary Water Laws work alongside two other key bodies of law: the Texas Water Code and the Texas Special District Local Laws Code. If you are researching a local water district, you may need to check all three. Houston-area residents may also find resources through the Harris County Flood Control District or the City of Houston's public works office when looking into local water management questions.
These laws shape how water districts across Texas operate. If you live near a water control district, own property, or care about how local water is managed, this resource helps you understand your rights and your district's powers. Knowing where the rules come from is the first step to holding local water authorities accountable.
