In the vast expanse of rural West Texas lies a tale of struggle, resilience, and hope a narrative woven around the essential yet often overlooked element of life: water. The arid landscapes and unincorporated communities south of the Texas Panhandle are grappling with a water crisis that has spanned generations, affecting over 300 residents across four developments. Brown, cloudy water, held in mason jars during a community meeting in July, serves as a visible testament to the water quality issues that have persisted for decades.

Unveiling the Water Woes

The residents of these communities, nestled in the outskirts of Lubbock and Shallowater, have been recipients of regular notices from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the state’s environmental agency. The notices highlight water quality violations, citing elevated levels of fluoride, arsenic, perfluoroalkyl, and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals. The consequence? Water deemed undrinkable for nearly two decades, forcing residents to rely on bottled water as a daily necessity.

South Plains Water Supply Corporation

Amidst this crisis, a glimmer of hope emerged. In July, approximately 65 residents convened to establish the South Plains Water Supply Corporation. This collaborative public entity aims to render the four housing developments eligible for regional, state, and federal funding. With a board of directors representing each subdivision, the newly-formed organization faces a tight deadline, seeking to secure around $3.3 million from the Texas Water Development Board by August 31. If successful, these funds will be instrumental in repairing the dilapidated water treatment and filtration systems that have plagued the region for far too long.

A Statewide Predicament

The challenges faced by these West Texas communities are not unique. The 2016 report revealing excessive levels of arsenic in 65 Texas water systems, with a significant concentration in rural parts of West Texas, underscores a pervasive issue. Yet, a ray of hope emanates as Texas receives a significant infusion of federal funding—approximately $2.5 billion earmarked for water infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, the state allocates over $2 billion to bolster water supplies, rectify failing infrastructure, and mitigate flooding risks. Notably, a billion dollars is earmarked for the New Water Supply for Texas Fund and the Texas Water Fund, pending approval in the fall election.

Ken Rainwater, a civil engineer based in Lubbock and an engineering consultant for the South Plains Water Supply Corporation, emphasizes the urgency for financial assistance tailored to smaller water systems. Unlike larger cities that can fund improvements through user fees or municipal bonds, these smaller systems heavily rely on grants and low-interest loans.

Winter Storm Uri’s Lingering Impact

Complicating matters further is the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which exposed vulnerabilities in the communities’ treatment plants due to insufficient weatherization. While the freeze exacerbated some of the water issues, other contamination problems predate the storm and gained prominence when TCEQ revised the maximum allowable levels of arsenic and fluoride.

The Role of Emergency Intervention

Before the formation of the South Plains Water Supply Corporation, the state intervened following an April 2021 investigation, revealing the death of the owner and operator of the four water systems. With the new operator facing a medical emergency, TCEQ appointed an independent company to temporarily manage the deteriorating, abandoned water systems—an uncommon emergency measure.

Community Unification

Deborah Hunt, a resident and secretary-treasurer of the South Plains Water Supply Corporation, expresses dissatisfaction with the temporary manager, emphasizing the lack of local motivation for improvement. The community’s response, inspired by successful endeavors in Florida, underscores the urgency to act collectively. Robert Sheets, a veteran in Florida’s water management, is lending his expertise to address the issues faced by the South Plains Water Supply Corporation. Drawing parallels with Florida’s successful regionalization, Sheets advocates for collaborative efforts among local governments to address water challenges.

Legislative Hurdles and Future Plans

Despite efforts during the recent legislative session, House Bill 2701, aiming to allow public water and wastewater utilities to join forces for cost-saving and efficiency, faced obstacles and did not pass the Senate. However, advocates like Sheets and Carlos Rubinstein, a former chair of the Texas Water Development Board, remain undeterred. They plan to reintroduce the legislation in the next regular session, emphasizing the need for regionalization and consolidation to tackle Texas’ water woes.

In the interim, the South Plains Water Supply Corporation stands as a beacon of community resilience and determination, navigating bureaucratic challenges to secure a sustainable water future for its residents. As the clock ticks toward the August 31 deadline, the eyes of Texas—and the nation—are on these communities, rooting for a triumph over adversity and the realization of a basic human right: access to clean and safe water.

A Comprehensive Approach to Water Infrastructure

The water crisis in South Plains reflects a broader challenge faced by numerous small, rural water systems across Texas. Recognizing this, financial assistance is on the horizon, with Texas receiving substantial federal funding for water infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The allocation of $2.5 billion holds the promise of transformative changes, addressing not only immediate concerns but also fortifying the state’s water infrastructure for the future.

Ken Rainwater, the civil engineer lending his expertise to the South Plains Water Supply Corporation, emphasizes the critical need for capital improvements in water systems. While large cities have the financial bandwidth to fund these improvements through user fees or municipal bonds, smaller systems often face barriers in accessing necessary funds. Rainwater underlines the significance of grant funds and low-interest loans for these systems, crucial lifelines for communities struggling with limited budgets and personnel.

Beyond Water Quality: Addressing the Root Causes

The water challenges faced by South Plains and similar communities in Texas are not solely a result of natural disasters or extreme weather events. Winter Storm Uri may have exacerbated some issues, but underlying contamination problems persist. TCEQ’s revision of maximum allowable levels for arsenic and fluoride added another layer to the problem, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and adaptation to evolving environmental standards.

The South Plains Water Supply Corporation’s formation is a testament to the community’s resilience and determination. Deborah Hunt, who hasn’t consumed the local water for years due to its poor taste, speaks for many when she articulates the need for quality water. The formation of the corporation not only addresses immediate issues but also positions the community to proactively tackle future challenges.

The Urgency of Timely Legislation

The legislative hurdles faced by House Bill 2701 underscore the challenges in enacting timely measures to address water issues. The bill’s intent to allow public water and wastewater utilities to collaborate for efficiency and cost savings aligns with successful models in other states, such as Florida. Regionalization and consolidation can offer solutions to Texas’ water infrastructure challenges, particularly for small, rural systems grappling with limited budgets and personnel.

Robert Sheets and Carlos Rubinstein, undeterred by the bill’s setback, plan to reintroduce the legislation in the next regular session. Their commitment to the cause reflects a broader understanding of the need for comprehensive, systemic changes to address Texas’ water woes. As the state grapples with aging infrastructure, leaking pipes, and recurring boil-water notices, the urgency of timely legislative action becomes increasingly apparent.

The Florida Model: A Source of Inspiration

The collaborative efforts in South Plains draw inspiration from successful models in other states, notably Florida. Robert Sheets, who founded the Florida Governmental Utility Association, witnessed the positive outcomes of regionalization and consolidation in addressing water challenges across 14 Florida counties. The quilt approach, bringing local governments together in a collaborative fashion, has proven effective in addressing issues ranging from aging infrastructure to water quality concerns.

During the most recent legislative session, Sheets was part of an effort to pass House Bill 2701, which would allow public water and wastewater utilities to join forces to save money and create efficiencies, similar to the one Sheets created in Florida. The bill made it out of the House but died in the Senate.

Sheets believes that regionalization and consolidation can help Texas address some of their water issues, including aging water infrastructure, leaking pipes, and recurring boil-water notices. Texas has a proliferation of small, rural water systems that struggle with limited budgets and personnel. They are also disqualified from certain loans because they don’t have sufficient funds to repay the loan, and they often don’t have enough personnel to complete time-intensive grant applications.

Although HB 2701 did not pass, Sheets and Carlos Rubinstein, a former chair of the Texas Water Development Board, said they plan to reintroduce the legislation during the next regular session. In the meantime, they said they’ll do what they can to support small water systems including the new South Plains Water Supply Corporation.

A Roadmap to Resilience

The story of the South Plains Water Supply Corporation echoes far beyond its rural confines. It resonates as a microcosm of the water challenges faced by numerous small communities across Texas. As the corporation navigates bureaucratic obstacles and strives to meet funding deadlines, it serves as a symbol of community resilience and determination.

The urgency of addressing Texas’ water issues is underscored by the state’s allocation of substantial federal funding, coupled with proposed legislative measures. The fate of House Bill 2701 in the recent legislative session emphasizes the complexities inherent in enacting timely measures to address water infrastructure challenges.

The South Plains Water Supply Corporation’s journey reflects a holistic approach, addressing immediate water quality concerns while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. Inspired by successful models in other states, particularly Florida, the corporation’s collaborative efforts offer a roadmap for other communities grappling with similar challenges.

As eyes turn to Texas and its small, rural water systems, there is a collective hope for triumph over adversity. Whether through federal funding, legislative initiatives, or grassroots community efforts, the journey towards a sustainable water future is one that resonates with every Texan and extends to communities facing similar struggles nationwide. In this tale of water resilience, the South Plains Water Supply Corporation stands not only as a local entity but as a beacon guiding the way towards a future where clean, safe water is a reality for all.