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CONFLUENCE NEWS

The Latest Water Policy News from Texas Water Association

TWA UPDATES

2026 Fall Conference Draft Program is Here!

The TWA 2026 Fall Conference is coming up, October 7–9, and we can’t wait to see everyone in San Antonio! We’re excited to share the draft program and service project details.

Draft Program. This year’s program includes keynote speakers State Rep. Armando Walle, PUC Commissioner Courtney Hjaltman, and TWDB Director Brady Franks, as well as topics including Key Water Data Needs, Confronting Corpus Christi’s Historic Drought Through Diversification, Texas Demographic Patterns, Industry Perspectives on Water, and Data Center Water Use. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to network and connect with colleagues and friends across the Texas water community. View the draft program here.

Service Project. Our friends at San Antonio Water System will host a tour of the H2Oaks Center, home to three water supplies: desalinated water, aquifer storage and recovery, and the local Carrizo Aquifer. Lunch and transportation to and from the hotel will be provided. Registration is open to all conference attendees but limited to 50 participants. Sign up here.

photo of group during a previous conference

Sponsorships. Support the TWA 2026 Fall Conference and become a sponsor! A few high-visibility sponsorships are still available, including the Power Breakfast and Charging Station, plus our Platinum Plus, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorships. View sponsorships here.

Special thanks to our current sponsors for their support!

Room Block. Our room block at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk is sold out, but rooms may be available at standard rates by booking directly with the hotel. Please complete our waitlist form if you’d like to be notified if rooms become available.

Cancellations. If you need to cancel a reservation, please email Mary Crisler with your reservation number so we can assign the room to someone on the waitlist. Note: All reservation holders in the TWA room block must be registered by the Early Bird registration date (Sept. 4).

Find all the details on our Fall Conference page. We look forward to seeing you in October!

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS. The following legislative committee hearings are coming up over the next few weeks with topics related to Texas water:

  • Texas House Committee on Natural Resources – Monday, August 24. The Committee will hold an interim hearing in Weslaco to hear invited testimony on regional water planning, innovative water technologies, agency oversight, and monitoring. TWA’s Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Sarah Kirkle, has been invited to testify on the regional water planning charge.
  • Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs – Tuesday, September 1. The Committee will hold an interim hearing in Austin to hear invited and public testimony to assess the water demands of energy-intensive technologies (data centers).
  • Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs – Wednesday, September 2. The Committee will hold an interim hearing in Austin to hear invited and public testimony on managing the Pecos River Basin.

Phishing Alert! Some members may have recently received a phone call requesting information about their attendance at an upcoming TWA event. TWA communications will come directly from TWA staff (Stacey, Sarah, Becky, or Mary) or official TWA email address (@texaswaterassociation.org), not an external source or vendor. Please do not respond to suspicious phone calls or emails. When in doubt, contact the TWA office directly at 512.472.7216 or info@texaswaterassociation.org.

AGENCY & RELATED UPDATES

STATE REVOLVING FUND 2027 DRAFT INTENDED USE PLANS. TWDB is seeking public comment on the draft State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans (IUPs):

The public comment period ends September 18, and a public hearing will be held in Austin on September 3. Find more information here.

photo of bluebonnets near lake

PROPOSED RULEMAKING FOR THE AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM. The TWDB has published the proposed definition and related materials for a rulemaking change to Title 31, Part 10, Chapter 367 of the Texas Administrative Code, Agricultural Water Conservation Program, for the definition of “agricultural” to include the production of food, fiber, or other agricultural projects. The comment period is open through September 7, and comments may be submitted via email to rulescomments@twdb.texas.gov.

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF PRODUCED WATER DISCHARGE ON SURFACE WATER QUALITY. The Texas Water Journal has published a new article, "Potential Effects of Produced Water Discharge on Surface Water Quality: Two Case Studies on Nueces River Watershed, Texas.” In this study, the authors investigated the water quality evolution for segments of the receiving streams in the Nueces River watershed, namely the Lower Atascosa River and the Petronila Creek. Read the article here.

ON THE MOVE

Ben Haguewood has joined TWDB as Director of Government Relations.

Bobby Bazan has been named General Manager of Wintergarden GCD.

Cari-Michel La Caille, Director of the Office of Water at TCEQ, will retire from the agency on August 31.

Jeff Carlson, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Cody Harris, has accepted a position with TX Public Affairs. Robert Moncada has been promoted to Chief of Staff for Rep. Harris.

Jonathan Mathers has joined Coastal Water Authority as Government Relations Manager.

image of Welcome New Members Text

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UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 Events

2027 Events

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