🟡Relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer.

🟡 SB 616: Aquifer wells allowed under Edwards Aquifer in two counties

What it says it does:
SB 616 allows certain aquifer storage and recovery wells to cross through the Edwards Aquifer so water can be injected into deeper underground formations. The stated goal is to help fast-growing regions improve their water supply reliability.

What it actually changes:
It creates exceptions to the long-standing ban on wells that transect the Edwards Aquifer. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) can now authorize these wells in two locations: Williamson County east of Interstate 35 and Medina County. The agency must adopt rules by March 1, 2026.

Who is pushing for it:
Files show support from the Brazos River Authority, Lower Colorado River Authority, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, and staff from TCEQ and the Texas Water Development Board.

Who benefits:
Regional river authorities and utilities that can now store treated surface water underground for use in droughts. Developers in those counties also gain a more stable water supply that supports continued growth.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Other counties remain under the statewide prohibition. Local groundwater districts gain no new oversight power and must depend on TCEQ’s rulemaking for protection. Everyday residents near the Edwards will rely on agency transparency to know what is being injected underground.

Why this matters long term:
SB 616 shifts decision-making from the Legislature to an executive agency. It replaces a clear statutory ban with a system of selective permissions, creating a precedent for future carveouts. The safety of the Edwards Aquifer will depend on how strong or weak TCEQ’s upcoming rules are.

What to watch next:
Watch how TCEQ designs monitoring, public notice, and enforcement rules by the 2026 deadline. Also watch whether other counties begin lobbying for the same carveout authority.

Bottom line:
SB 616 is meant to improve drought planning but hands most control to TCEQ and a few regional authorities. Without firm oversight and transparency, Texans could see water management move further away from public accountability.

#SB616 #TexasPolicy #TexasWater #EdwardsAquifer #WatchTheRules