Meeting Texas’ Evolving Water Needs

How Texas Can Keep Growth Flowing

Texas has always understood the value of water. But today, the conversation is changing.

Rapid population growth, expanding industrial activity and more frequent periods of drought are putting new pressure on the state’s water systems. Communities are growing. Commercial and industrial development is accelerating across the state. Utilities are planning for long-term reliability while navigating aging infrastructure, evolving regulations and rising expectations around sustainability.

The result is not simply a water shortage story. It is a planning, infrastructure and innovation story, one that will shape how Texas grows.

Demand Is Rising Across Communities and Industries

Texas continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and that growth brings increased demand for reliable water supplies. Residential development, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, technology and municipal systems all depend on access to clean, dependable water.

At the same time, economic and industrial growth is increasing water demand across the state. Many new and expanding facilities require reliable water supplies for cooling, processing and day-to-day operations. As communities and businesses plan for continued growth, they are taking a closer look at how water is sourced, used, treated and reused. The challenge is not that growth should stop. Growth is part of Texas’ story. The opportunity is to support that growth with smarter water strategies, stronger infrastructure and technologies that help stretch existing supplies further.

A More Reliable Supply Starts With Infrastructure

One of the most immediate opportunities for water conservation is improving the systems already in place. Across the country, aging pipes, leaks and outdated infrastructure contribute to significant water loss. In Texas, these challenges are especially important as utilities work to serve growing populations while protecting limited resources.

Modernizing water infrastructure can help communities reduce waste, improve reliability and better understand system performance. Leak detection, smart metering, pipeline improvements and more efficient distribution systems can make a meaningful difference before new water supplies are even developed.

For municipalities, this type of investment is about more than conservation. It also supports public trust, long-term affordability and the ability to plan confidently for future demand.

Industrial Growth Adds New Planning Considerations

Large industrial users are also evaluating new ways to reduce water use and manage wastewater more efficiently. Technologies such as water reuse systems, advanced treatment and Zero Liquid Discharge can help limit discharge and extend available supplies.

These systems can be powerful tools, but they also come with trade-offs. Some approaches require more energy, more complex operations or higher upfront investment. That makes it important for owners, engineers and communities to evaluate solutions holistically, balancing water savings, energy use, cost, regulatory requirements and long-term performance.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best approach depends on the facility, the water source, the surrounding community and the goals of the project.

Regulations Are Raising the Bar

Water quality regulations are also evolving, particularly around emerging contaminants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” These substances have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing more direction on how they are monitored and managed in water systems.

For industrial facilities, utilities and municipalities, this means treatment strategies must continue to adapt. Advanced filtration, targeted treatment processes and stronger wastewater management practices will play an increasingly important role in helping communities protect public health and meet regulatory expectations.

Rather than viewing regulation only as a compliance challenge, many organizations are using it as a chance to modernize systems and build stronger water programs.

Alternative Water Sources Are Becoming More Important

As demand grows, Texas is also looking beyond traditional freshwater sources. Brackish groundwater treatment, desalination, water reuse and reservoir development are all part of the broader conversation around long-term supply.

Kiewit’s work on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant in El Paso reflects the kind of infrastructure that can help communities diversify their water portfolios. As the largest brackish water desalination plant in North America, the plant converts brackish water into potable drinking water and supports a more reliable supply for the region.

Projects like this show how engineering, planning and technology can work together to create new options for communities facing complex water challenges.

Conservation Will Take Many Forms

Some solutions will be large and highly technical. Others will be simple and community-based. Both matter.

Industrial reuse systems, desalination facilities and advanced treatment plants can help address major supply and quality challenges. At the same time, everyday conservation measures, including efficient fixtures, irrigation improvements, leak repairs and public education, can also save meaningful volumes of water over time.

Water credits and similar offset programs are also gaining attention as a way for large users to support conservation projects, watershed restoration or new supply development. These tools are still evolving, but they reflect a broader shift in how businesses and communities think about shared responsibility.

What Comes Next

Texas’ water challenges will require planning, investment and collaboration. But the conversation does not have to be defined by scarcity alone. It can be defined by the decisions being made now to use water more efficiently, treat it more effectively and plan for growth more thoughtfully.

For communities, that may mean upgrading infrastructure and reducing system losses. For industries, it may mean rethinking processes and investing in reuse. For regulators and utilities, it may mean preparing for new standards while keeping systems reliable and affordable.

Delivery method is part of that decision. Where scope is still taking shape, because a permit is pending or a treatment approach is still under evaluation, collaborative methods such as progressive design-build bring construction input into design and set a price once the scope is understood. Where scope is well defined, other models remain the better fit. Matching the method to the project is as consequential as selecting the technology.

Kiewit helps clients navigate these decisions through planning, engineering and construction expertise across water treatment, reuse, desalination, infrastructure modernization and regulatory-driven improvements.

Texas is entering a new era of water management. With the right mix of technology, infrastructure and practical planning, the state can continue to grow while building stronger, more reliable water systems for communities, businesses and generations to come.

About the Authors

Kory Kyllo, Sponsor — Kory has been with Kiewit for 26 years and has worked on more than 15 collaborative delivery projects, helping clients move from preconstruction through commissioning. His experience includes more than $2 billion in water and wastewater work. On the City of Sherman Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kory led planning through turnover with a focus on sequencing, coordination and meeting the City’s service dates.

Colin Bunker, Sponsor — Colin has over 20 years of construction management experience, with a strong track record in preconstruction planning, design coordination, schedule control, and budget oversight. He is a proven leader in collaborative delivery, driving successful projects through integrated team management and strategic project execution. Colin’s problem-solving skills lead project teams to navigate risks and rewards early on, integrating closely with everyone involved to make project- and people-first decisions.