TWRI provides science-based, community-supported solutions for Texas' pressing water challenges.
Securing and managing sufficient, healthy water is one of the most significant challenges facing Texas today. Major water quantity and water quality problems exist, and solutions are needed to support economic growth, ecological sustainability, public health and continued food production across the state. At TWRI, we help solve these pressing water challenges by providing needed expertise and deve
07/30/2026
Happy National Intern Day!
Today we're celebrating our TWRI interns and the work they do to support projects across the institute. Thanks, Antonio, Rachel, Audrey and Ariana, for all of your hard work!
How much water do you consume?
The length of your shower, timing of lawn watering and amount of time you run the water while brushing your teeth may seem insignificant. But how do those add up?
One way to look at the full picture of your water use is to calculate your water footprint, which is the amount of water you consume directly and indirectly.
Direct water use is water that you can see in your home and on your water bill. Decreasing this water use may save money and reduce your water footprint.
Indirect water use is the water embedded in the production of consumer products, including food, clothing and technology. This water use is unseen, so many people may not consider it.
What is your total daily water footprint?
Find out at tx.ag/waterfootprint
07/24/2026
Floods can contaminate well water fast. 💧 The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Disaster Assessment and Recovery unit and the Texas Well Owner Network both have resources on disinfecting, testing and recovering your well after a flood.
See well water flooding resources below:
Disaster Assessment and Recovery: tx.ag/DARWellWater
Texas Well Owner Network: tx.ag/TWONFloodResources
Texas Water Resources Institute
07/23/2026
Today, the 2027 State Water Plan was adopted by the Texas Water Development Board. Over the next 50 years (2030-2080), the plan projects:
- 53% population increase in Texas, to 52.3 million in 2080.
- 6% increase in total water demand.
- 10% decline in Texas’ existing water supplies.
TWDB estimates that:
- The capital cost of implementing the 2027 plan is approximately $174 billion.
- A severe drought could cause $177 billion in economic damage per year by 2080, if Texas does not implement the water supply strategies and projects in the plan.
Read more: https://texaswaternewsroom.org/pressreleases/2026-7-23_2027_swp_approved.html
07/23/2026
Over the past month, drought conditions have lessened as Texas has experienced heavy rainfalls, per U.S. Drought Monitor as of 7/23: https://buff.ly/Y6vn45u
-8.68% of Texas is in severe or worse drought
-1.04% in extreme or worse drought
-0.00% in exceptional drought
07/21/2026
Twenty-three teachers and community educators joined us for the DFW WatershED 101 Workshop last week to learn about the watersheds that support the Dallas-Fort Worth region and discover resources they can use to bring water education back to their classrooms and communities.
Thank you to our cohost, Tarrant Regional Water District, and to our presenters from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Tarrant County Master Gardeners and Tarrant County Extension 4-H Water Ambassadors for sharing their expertise. We also appreciate Grand Canyon University for sponsoring a dessert table for participants!
07/20/2026
For Texans who rely on well water, a little help can go a long way.
Across Texas over the last decade, thousands of well owners have taken the time to learn more about their water through Texas Well Owner Network programs.
People leave these programs with a low-cost water screening completed and explained, a better understanding of groundwater and clear next steps for maintaining their well.
Learn more about TWON and what you need to know: https://twon.tamu.edu/
Find an event near you: https://calendar.tamu.edu/twri/all/tags/twon/
Texas Water Resources Institute
07/18/2026
Wondering about water quality in Texas?
Here are 5 things to know about Texas water quality.
1. What is water quality, and why is it important?
Water quality is the suitability of a water source for designated water body uses. It is determined by looking at chemical, biological and physical characteristics of the water. Since water is crucial to all living organisms, water quality plays a critical role in ecosystem health.
2. What laws and policies protect water quality in Texas?
The Clean Water Act establishes a framework and expectations for regulating pollutant discharges nationwide. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state agency in charge of establishing and implementing water quality standards in Texas.
3. Who monitors and regulates water quality in Texas?
TCEQ evaluates and monitors surface and drinking water quality in Texas through the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program (SWQM), the Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Network Program (CWQMN), and the Texas Clean Rivers Program.
4. How is water quality measured? What factors affect it?
Surface water is assessed using chemical, physical and biological characteristics, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), common nutrient concentrations and E. coli contamination.
5. What is TWRI’s role in water quality research and outreach?
TWRI works with stakeholders to use sound science and public participation to restore impaired water bodies and protect unimpaired watersheds across Texas, while also protecting human health.
Want to learn more about water quality? Visit https://buff.ly/KmV5tcV
Heavy rains yesterday caused Wolf Pen Creek, across the street from our office, to flood out of its banks.
Members of the water team lived up to their name and went to check out what it looked like!
07/14/2026
- Families: recovery essentials including clean water, food safety and sanitation, from AgriLife Learn 🔗 tx.ag/FloodResources
- Producers: guidance on protecting farm equipment and livestock 🔗 tx.ag/FloodReadinessTips
- Homeowners: mold remediation guidance, a return-home supply list and disaster assistance information, including resources in Spanish, from Texas Flood Recovery Resources 🔗 tx.ag/FloodRecoveryResources
- EVERYONE: report damage through the state's Texas Division of Emergency Management iSTAT survey so help reaches the areas that need it 🔗
damage.tdem.texas.gov
Stay safe, Texas. We're here to help with the information you need.