The Texas Water Development Board launched a statewide public awareness campaign aimed at helping Texans better understand where their water comes from, how much water their communities will need in the future, and the infrastructure required to maintain long-term water security.
The campaign, called “This is Texas Water,” was announced in a press release on June 29 by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
According to the agency, the initiative uses storytelling and educational resources based on local water planning data to connect Texans with information about their water supplies and future water needs. A zip code lookup tool on the campaign website allows users to identify their primary water source, learn projected water demands for their community and find information about their regional water planning group.
Gov. Greg Abbott said the campaign comes as Texas continues to experience population growth and increasing demand on water resources.
“Water security is fundamental to keeping Texas strong and prosperous. As our state grows, it’s more important than ever that Texans understand where their water comes from and the infrastructure required to sustain our communities,” Abbott said in the press release. “The This is Texas Water campaign is a powerful tool to build that awareness and support long-term planning. I applaud the Texas Water Development Board’s work on this initiative.”
The TWDB said many Texans remain unaware of where their water originates or how water infrastructure supports daily life, despite efforts by state leaders and others over the past two decades to increase public awareness of water issues.
“We are grateful the Governor and Texas Legislature prioritized public awareness for water, and the TWDB is excited to steward this campaign,” TWDB Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney said in the press release. “This is a big moment for Texas. We are proud to see important water topics come to life in such a visual way—connecting people to their water sources and making invisible infrastructure visible.”
The campaign also seeks to encourage public engagement in water planning and infrastructure discussions.
“In the early development of the campaign, a survey revealed that 65 percent of Texans support infrastructure investment when they understand the need,” said Sarah Schlessinger, chief executive officer of the Texas Water Foundation. “Inspiring Texans to build a secure water future will require changing the way we value water, infrastructure, and the role it plays in our every day.”
According to the TWDB, the campaign is anchored by an anthem video that follows water’s role across Texas, depicting its use in homes, agriculture, recreation, businesses and other aspects of daily life.
The campaign stems from Senate Bill 28, passed by the 88th Texas Legislature, which directed the Texas Water Development Board to lead a statewide water awareness effort. The board later authorized a contract with the Texas Water Foundation to assist with developing and implementing the campaign.