Top TWDB accomplishments in 2025 Posted on January 15, 2026
As we move into a new year, it’s a good time to reflect upon and celebrate what the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) accomplished in 2025. And, with approval from the Texas Legislature and voters across the state to dedicate up to $1 billion a year to the Texas Water Fund, the TWDB is better positioned than ever to fulfill its mission of ensuring a secure water future for Texas in 2026 and beyond.
Welcomed Two New Board Members
In 2025, Brady Franks and Ashley Morgan were appointed to the TWDB by Governor Abbott, joining Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney to round out the full-time, three-member Board. Before his appointment to the TWDB, Director Franks served as the State Budget Director in the Office of the Governor, co-founder and chief executive of MF Advisors, Director of Government Relations at The University of Texas at Austin, and in various positions in the Texas House of Representatives for a decade.
Prior to joining the TWDB, Director Morgan served as an attorney at Erben & Yarbrough, an Austin-based legal and governmental affairs firm, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Made First Funding Commitments Through the Rural Water Assistance and Water Loan Assistance funds
The TWDB made its first round of funding commitments from the Texas Water Fund through the Rural Water Assistance Fund (RWAF) and the Water Loan Assistance Fund (WLAF). The Texas Water Fund, approved by voters through Proposition 6 on the November 2023 constitutional amendment ballot, authorized a $1 billion appropriation to fund water infrastructure upgrades, innovative water supply projects, and a statewide water public awareness program.
The programs supported by the Texas Water Fund are important elements that help the TWDB address critical water needs for communities of all sizes and promote resilient and sustainable water resources for the future. As of December 2025, a total of $235,395,128 has been distributed to 45 projects through the RWAF and WLAF. These commitments are a significant step to improve water infrastructure and expand reliable water supplies across the state.
Accelerated SB3 Implementation
After the devastating floods in July, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) to improve Texas' preparedness for future flood events by constructing outdoor warning sirens in flash flood-prone areas. SB 3 also requires establishment of a grant program to assist municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities located in the 30 counties included in the disaster declaration issued by the Governor. Administration of the grant program was delegated to the TWDB by the Office of the Governor, which is designed to help with the costs of installing outdoor warning sirens.
Since Governor Abbott signed SB 3 into law in September, the TWDB set out to fulfill its responsibilities on an accelerated timeline. Initially, the TWDB Community Assistance Program contacted all 30 counties and 119 cities included in the disaster declaration, and the Board approved the first grant agreements in December. .
Completed the Largest Bond Issuance in Agency History
In September 2025, the TWDB went to market with approximately $2.5 billion of bonds, its largest issuance to date. The bonds were issued to provide funding for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program, and this was the first time the TWDB utilized general obligation bonding authority in conjunction with revenue bonds to finance SWIFT program projects. The transaction funded approximately $2.6 billion of projects in the State Water Plan, which is estimated to create over 600,000 acre-feet of new water supply, and program participants are estimated to save over $370 million in debt service costs over the life of bonds by utilizing the SWIFT program.
Published Flood Early Warning Systems Guide
Flood mapping program staff completed and delivered guidance for Alternative Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS). Research, community and stakeholder engagement, and on-the-ground testing were used to develop this guide. Communities can now download and use the guide to acquire, install, and operate a scalable, low-cost flood sensor flood warning system that provides real-time flood alerts at roadways.
Made Groundwater Modeling Program Improvements
Groundwater modeling staff completed groundwater availability model updates for the High Plains Aquifer System, the southern portion of the Trinity Aquifer, the northern portion of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer, the Igneous and West Texas Bolsons aquifers, and the central and southern portions of the Gulf Coast Aquifer System.
These models are living tools that require periodic updates to improve the software and incorporate new data to improve model performance. Thes updates also improve the models’ abilities to simulate groundwater flow from recharge to discharge to surface waters or via pumping. Better models result in better information for groundwater managers, users, and decision makers, and better estimates of groundwater availability.
Improved Water Loss Program Accuracy
For the first time, the TWDB offered water loss audit data validations, and completed 223 of them, which will help those water utilities improve their water loss auditing accuracy. This validation process ensures a more accurate accounting of both real and apparent water loss, which enables communities to more efficiently dedicate limited resources to effectively address issues.
Advanced Coastal and Flood Science
This past year, the TWDB completed the Texas Integrated Flooding Framework project, a five-year effort to provide local, regional, and state entities with the compound flood risk information and planning tools necessary for comprehensive regional flood planning and mitigation in the coastal zone. Also completed in 2025, BAYCAST is a coastwide 3D hydrodynamic and salinity transport model for simulating water circulation and salinity conditions in Texas estuaries and near-shore systems. The model is also being used in forecast mode to support the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Response program.
Developed and implemented a system for tracking, reporting and monitoring (STRM)
The System for Tracking, Reporting, and Monitoring (STRM) is an online document intake system that makes it easier to submit documents to the TWDB Water Supply and Infrastructure division for project reviews—and is the first step in the development towards an integrated project management system. Through this innovation, we are increasing transparency and accountability in TWDB processes, as well as improving project management oversight.
Advanced Flood Planning
The Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) program provides financial assistance in the form of loans and grants for flood management evaluations, flood mitigation projects, and flood management strategies recommended in the 2024 State Flood Plan. The TWDB completed five FIF studies at a cost of over $11.9 million during 2025, with the TWDB providing over $11.3 million in grant funding to complete them.
Improved Mapping Accuracy, Indoors and Out
The TxGIO map catalog received a comprehensive refresh in 2025, which involved updating the GIS data and enhancing design elements and graphics to improve the experience for its many users. TxGIO also executed a proof of concept to evaluate indoor mapping technology and GIS workflows for real world implementation. This indoor mapping helps NextGen 911 by giving call‑takers and first responders a clear, room‑level view of where a caller is inside a building—which means faster routing, quicker access, and better outcomes in emergencies.
Advanced Regional Water Planning
In 2025, the TWDB completed and distributed socioeconomic impact analyses for all the 2026 Regional Water Plans. The agency also shepherded the 2026 Regional Water Plans through Regional Water Planning Group adoption—which required extensive agency-wide administrative and technical review to assist the Regional Water Planning Groups. This is foundational work that will be indispensable as the TWDB develops the 2027 State Water Plan and works to ensure a secure water future for Texas.
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