TEXAS WATER WINS: Voters Approve $20 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure & Water Supply

EDF Action and National Wildlife Federation Action Fund Invest $700,000 to Support Historic Initiative

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Texas voters delivered a decisive victory for the state’s water future today, approving Proposition 4 with strong bipartisan support. The measure establishes a $1 billion annual investment in critical water infrastructure and conservation projects across Texas for the next 20 years, addressing urgent challenges facing both urban and rural communities across the state.

Environmental Defense Fund and its advocacy arm, Environmental Defense Fund Action (EDF Action), together with the National Wildlife Federation and its advocacy arm, National Wildlife Federation Action Fund (NWFAF), invested nearly $700,000 in a comprehensive campaign combining public education and voter outreach, and can now celebrate this historic win as a turning point for Texas water security.

“Texas can’t afford to waste water — or time,” said Jennifer Walker, special advisor to National Wildlife Federation’s Action Fund. “Investing in our water infrastructure now means fewer leaks, safer drinking water, conservation of natural resources, and a stronger economy that can support families and communities for decades. Today’s vote shows that Texans across the political spectrum understand the stakes and are ready to invest in solutions that will protect our water for generations.”

The passage of Proposition 4 ensures dedicated funding for repairing aging pipes, upgrading treatment facilities, building new water supplies, and implementing conservation technologies across the state. The measure addresses critical needs in both rural and urban communities, many of which have struggled to fund necessary infrastructure improvements through local budgets alone.

“Water isn’t just about turning on the tap. It’s about healthy rivers and wetlands, thriving wildlife habitats, and resilient ecosystems that support Texas’ outdoor heritage,” said Vanessa Puig-Williams, senior director of Environmental Defense Fund’s Texas Water Program. “Our campaign brought together state leaders across the political spectrum along with urban and rural voices — all united around the common-sense need to secure Texas’ water future.”

With Texas’s population projected to nearly double by 2050, Proposition 4’s annual $1 billion investment will provide essential resources to ensure future water supply for the state’s growth while protecting natural resources through prioritizing investment in resilient water strategies.

EDF Action and National Wildlife Federation Action Fund thank the hundreds of thousands of Texans who voted yes on Proposition 4, along with the water utilities, agricultural leaders, policy experts, conservation organizations, editorial boards, and community advocates who championed this critical investment in Texas’ water future.