On November 15, 2022, Water Finance Exchange (WFX) and RSAH2O hosted, Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Opportunities in Texas, a workshop in San Antonio with Texas public and private water sector leaders. This convening focused on new funding and investments for water and wastewater infrastructure, technical assistance needs and support structures for communities, and sustainable solutions that meet communities’ economic, public health, and environmental needs.
Speakers included leaders from Texas agencies and non-profits such as the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Water Foundation, Texas Water Trade, Texas 2036, and Texas Rural Water, as well as representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the North American Development Bank, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Texas State Senator José Menéndez and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg provided opening remarks to the workshop, which included keynote addresses from Chairwoman Brooke T. Paup of the TWDB, Senior Council Morgan Johnson of TCEQ, and Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Robert R. Puente, President/CEO of the San Antonio Water System, provided the keynote presentation on water conservation and community support of the San Antonio system.
The workshop brought together water sector leaders, communities seeking to address sustainable water management needs, and public officials. More than 70 leaders across the state attended the workshop, including representatives from more than 12 small, rural, and underserved communities.
WFX’s workshop convenings build strong relationships with state agencies, water sector leaders, and communities, as well as establish a pipeline of communities in need. WFX believes the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Opportunities in Texas workshop will continue to catalyze collaboration and action in Texas.
To find out more about learnings and recommendations from the conference, as well as a call to action for a collaborative path forward read our post-meeting report here.