Source: Texas Water Company
Just as natural gas fuels the state’s growing energy needs, Prop 4 is a smart, no-new tax investment to secure Texas’ water systems for decades to come.
As Texas continues to lead the nation in energy production, Proposition 4 offers a timely and essential opportunity to strengthen another critical pillar of our state’s future: water infrastructure. Just as natural gas is stepping up to power the next wave of AI-driven growth and data center development in the Permian Basin, reliable access to water is key to sustaining economic momentum across the board. Whether it’s energy, agriculture, manufacturing, or local communities, every corner of the state depends on secure, well-maintained water systems to thrive.
Water is vital to the daily operations of the oil and natural gas industry. From drilling and completions to ongoing production and refining, water plays a central role in how we power Texas and the world. But across Texas, aging water systems are losing an estimated 186 billion gallons a year due to leaks. That kind of waste isn’t just unsustainable. It’s avoidable. Proposition 4 would invest $1 billion annually from existing sales tax revenue, without raising taxes, to help repair and modernize these systems. It’s a smart, long-term investment that will protect one of our most valuable resources.
What makes Prop 4 especially important is its scalability and long-term visions. The same way new natural gas plants in Midland County are being built to grow alongside energy demand, Prop 4 creates a framework to support Texas’ water needs for decades to come. This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a 20-year commitment to build stronger, more resilient infrastructure that will serve both growing cities and the rural communities that support energy production.
Rural Texas, including many oil- and natural gas-producing regions, often faces the greatest challenges when it comes to water reliability. Prop 4 will help ensure those communities aren’t left behind. Just like the energy infrastructure we’re building to support AI and data centers, this investment in water will create the conditions needed for new business, population stability, and long-term prosperity. It will also give local leaders the tools to plan for the future instead of constantly reacting to emergencies.
Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. Dependable, abundant natural gas has made Texas a magnet for industry and innovation. Now it’s time to bring that same level of stability and foresight to our water systems. Prop 4 is a practical, forward-looking solution that will benefit every Texan, and every industry, without adding a single cent in new taxes.
Proposition 4 aligns with the principles that drive the oil and natural gas industry: efficiency, reliability, and long-term investment.
