Texas is taking steps to protect groundwater supplies in Southeast Texas. House Bill 27 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study groundwater in the Neches and Trinity Valleys area before new water export permits can be issued.
The study will answer three key questions. First, it will measure the maximum amount of groundwater that can be used every year without harming long-term supplies. Second, it will compare those findings to the state's current estimates of available groundwater. Third, it will examine how exporting water out of the area might affect springs, streams, and the connection between groundwater and surface water.
The Texas Water Development Board must complete this study and submit a report to state leaders by January 12, 2027. Once the report is submitted, the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District must wait 270 more days before approving any new permits to export groundwater out of the region. This pause gives the state time to review the study results and decide how to protect our water supply.
This law reflects our community's commitment to sustainable water management. By studying aquifer capacity before issuing new permits, we can balance current water needs with protection for future generations. The groundwater beneath Southeast Texas is a shared resource that belongs to all of us.
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