A plan finalized more than four years ago calls for a $53 million investment in projects like reservoirs, pipelines and wells, but during that time, the state has only allocated $1.4 billion towards those efforts. An additional $140 billion is needed for related infrastructure such as flood control systems. The investment would have helped residents avoid water-use restrictions during droughts and ensure the capacity of the state's water systems through 2060.
Localities have $26 billion to fund the plan but would need state loans for the rest of the work, which has prompted serious competition for the scarce funding that's available.
The West Texas town of Robert Lee has become the poster child for the state's ongoing water crisis that's hit the state this summer. Local leaders are preparing to borrow money to build a $1.5 million pipeline to draw water from elsewhere.
The Texas Water Development Board must publish a revised plan by January. The AP reports that the state spends $16 million every five years to study and plan for its future water needs.