LETTER FROM OUR CEO

Dear friends and colleagues,

The past year offered us a new perspective on the state of Texas water. Beyond the pressures of population growth, state-wide drought, record floods, boil water notices, water loss reports, and workforce shortages all signal that Texas has more than just a water supply challenge. It highlighted that our water security and water infrastructure is as much about people and our natural systems, as the built infrastructure they maintain.

Last year also showed us the inspiring potential we collectively hold.  In 2022, Texas Water Foundation (TWF) was fortunate to partner with a broad range of organizations working to understand and address Texas’ critical water infrastructure needs. As a result, we have collectively started this year with the hope that water will be prioritized this legislative session and beyond.

Some of our 2022 milestones that give us reason to believe in a hopeful and resilient future for Texas water include:

We invite you to learn more about our programs and work this past year in the report below. The challenges facing future of Texas’ water security have never been greater, but neither have the opportunities and desire to address them.

Thank you for your work, your support, and your partnerships.

 
 

Sarah Rountree Schlessinger
CEO, Texas Water Foundation

 
 
 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

POLICY PROGRAM

Texas Water Foundation’s policy program works to advance strong, well-informed deliberations that produce better policies by convening stakeholders and providing them with resources. In 2022, we did that by helping to advance water infrastructure and workforce challenges as top policy priorities, and developing resources to support decision makers.

Greatest among our 2022 achievements, is supporting the establishment of a bipartisan, non-voting Texas House Water Caucus. We view it as a historic opportunity to support a new generation of water champions at the Texas Legislature, and ensure that water continues to be prioritized. The objectives of the Caucus are to:

  1. Serve as a platform to inform legislators of our state’s most important water issues

  2. Elevate water as a policy priority

  3. Cultivate, inform, and inspire the next generation of water champions at the Texas Legislature

Texas Water Foundation is proud to be supporting the Texas House Water Caucus in its educational activities.

2022 Highlights:

  • Supporting the establishment of the first Texas House Water Caucus at the Texas Legislature

  • Cohosting the IIJA Workshop Series with Texas 2036, WFX, and RSAH2O

  • Hosting a water policy workshop for Texan by Nature’s Texas Water Action Collaborative.

  • Media appearances on aging infrastructure and water security like this.

  • Publishing a new Texas Water Atlas.

 

TEXAS RUNS ON WATER

Texas Runs on Water ® (TRoW) is a first-of-its-kind statewide water campaign working to address the state’s growing water needs by inspiring Texans to consider how we use water, and how we value it. The campaign is built on Texas’ strong sense of local pride and invites Texans to participate in a viral cultural movement that spurs action and conversation around water.

Launched in 2021, the Texas Runs on Water has garnered millions of views with localized campaign efforts in Houston, the Texas Hill Country, and the Panhandle. In 2022, Texas Runs on Water continued to build momentum, expanding our reach, employing creative media strategies, engaging communities, and developing new partnerships across the state.

2022 Highlights:

Murals in Amarillo and San Antonio

Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even Tiktok.

 

TEXAS WATER LEADERS

Sen. Buster Brown

shares a history of Senate Bill 1 and serves as chairman of a mock legislative hearing.

A generational shift is occurring in the water workforce. To support the need for succession planning, representative leadership, and trust across sectors, Texas Water Foundation created the Texas Water Leader program in 2020.

Texas Water Leaders is an annual leadership program that provides water professionals with the tools, training, and opportunities to expand their potential.

The program selects 20 water leaders each year and provides them with tailored professional coaching, mentorship, strategic networking, and a curriculum that includes workshops on water policy, conflict resolution, public speaking, and team management. 

Check out the 2023 class and some of our biggest accomplishments this year:

  • Third class and 60th Texas Water Leader graduated

  • 4 scholarships provided

  • 4 Alumni gatherings

  • New partnership with Spring Point Partners Delta Learning Series

  • Inclusion in EPIC’s water leadership database

 

EVENTS

Every year, Texas Water Foundation recognizes an exceptional water leader who is making a lasting impact on Texas water at the Rainmaker Award Dinner. In 2022, we were proud to have recognized L’Oreal Stepney, recently appointed Director of Texas Water Development Board.

Thanks to Texas Water Foundation board member Richard Linklater and Austin Film Society, we also host an annual film festival called Water, Texas. In 2022, we received submissions from various film makers and organizations on topics that spanned from Texas’ first wildlife documentary, to Baffin Bay, and Texas’ newest sport: microfishing. Check out the winners here.

 

DONORS AND SUPPORTERS

We are grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of Texas Water Foundation in 2022. Their support makes everything we do possible.