Texas Lawmakers Tackle Water Issues for AI Data Centers

State committee hears expert testimony on monitoring aquifers and managing water demands from growing tech industry.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Texas state lawmakers are taking steps to address water rights and supply issues, particularly as they relate to the rising number of AI data centers being proposed across the state. The state's Natural Resources Committee held a lengthy hearing featuring testimony from water management experts, focusing on the need for better data monitoring of aquifers and developing policies to regulate the water usage of the tech industry.

Why it matters

Water scarcity is a major concern in Texas, and the proliferation of water-intensive AI data centers threatens to strain already limited water supplies. Policymakers are working to get ahead of this issue by gathering data and developing regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable water management as the tech industry continues to grow.

The details

The hearing was led by East Texas State Representative Cody Harris, the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. Experts from the Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts provided testimony. They emphasized the need for more comprehensive data on aquifer levels to accurately assess water availability. Harris also noted that there are currently around 1,000 data center proposals awaiting approval in the state, underscoring the urgency to establish policies to monitor and manage the water demands of this rapidly expanding industry.

  • The hearing took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The Texas legislature will reconvene for its next session in 2027, at which point policymakers plan to use the information gathered to make decisions.

The players

Cody Harris

East Texas State Representative and Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.

Jay Dean

East Texas State Representative who stated that water will be a leading issue in the next legislative session.

Texas Water Development Board

State agency that provided expert testimony on water management issues.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

State agency that provided expert testimony on water management issues.

Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts

Organization representing local groundwater districts that provided expert testimony on water management issues.

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What they’re saying

“Water is going to be a serious and if not the leading issue, one of the leading issues that we'll be addressing this next session.”

— Jay Dean, East Texas State Representative (KETK)

“We need an abundance of more data on our aquifer to really have an accurate understanding of how much water is there.”

— Cody Harris, East Texas State Representative and Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee (KETK)

What’s next

The state's Natural Resources Committee plans to hold several more hearings over the next year, with the information gathered used to inform policy decisions during the 2027 legislative session.

The takeaway

Texas lawmakers are proactively addressing the water supply challenges posed by the rapid growth of water-intensive AI data centers in the state. By focusing on improving data monitoring and developing regulatory frameworks, policymakers aim to ensure sustainable water management as the tech industry continues to expand.