In this edition of news from HPWD:

• Governor Abbott Signs $20 Billion Water Investment Bill in Lubbock, Texas
• 4-H Tier 1 Water Ambassador Leadership Academy Visits Lubbock
• American Ground Water Trust - 2025 Texas Groundwater Conference
• Texas A&M AgriLife Lubbock Center Subsurface Drip Irrigation Project 
• Conservation Reminder
• Waste Reminder
• Administratively Complete Permit Applications
• Upcoming Events
• Texas Water News and Drought Update

Governor Abbott Signs $20 Billion Water Investment Bill in Lubbock, Texas

On June 18, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited Lubbock to sign Senate Bill 7 (SB7) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR7) during a ceremony at SIMFLO’s Engineering Products Facility. 

SB 7, authored by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), and HJR 7, by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine), outline a plan to invest $1 billion annually in the Texas Water Fund.

This funding is intended to support long-term water infrastructure projects across the state. The $1 billion annual allocation would come from state sales tax revenues, pending voter approval of the constitutional amendment proposed in HJR7 during the November 2025 election.

It represents a $20 billion investment over 20 years in Texas’s water infrastructure—the largest in state history. SB7, in conjunction with HJR7, focuses on securing Texas’s water future by developing new water supplies, including tapping deeper brackish groundwater and supporting reuse projects like Lubbock’s Lake 7.

Governor Abbott emphasized the urgency of the investment, citing the state’s rapid population growth and aging infrastructure.  

HPWD Precinct 2 Director Brad Heffington and General Manager Jason Coleman were present for the signing.

Read the featured story from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (June 18, 2025)

See the official press release from the Office of the Texas Governor (June 18, 2025)

4-H  Tier 1 Water Ambassador Leadership Academy Visits Lubbock

On June 12th, the Tier I 4-H Water Ambassadors visited Lubbock as part of their statewide leadership academy tour. The event, hosted at the Fibermax Center for Discovery, was supported by the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD).

The students observed a live demonstration of a center pivot irrigation system in the field, led by Billy Barron. He explained how wells operate and showcased the equipment for monitoring water levels and conducting flow measurements. Jennifer McClendon provided an engaging lesson on the Ogallala Aquifer, the region’s primary water source. To illustrate the impact of groundwater pumping, each student built a hands-on aquifer model.

The group also explored the museum’s water pump exhibits and learned about the historical significance of groundwater in the area. Discussions emphasized the importance of water conservation and the critical role groundwater plays in sustaining Texas communities.

This year marks a record-breaking milestone for the program, with 95 students in the 2025–26 cohort—the largest since its inception in 2017. Due to high interest, the Tier I group is split into two sessions: the first held June 8–14, and the second scheduled for August 3–6 in the San Marcos area.

HPWD is proud to support the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program. Grant funds from HPWD helped cover costs for the June 8–14 Tier I tour, which included 30 new ambassadors and five adult chaperones.

Six 4-H Water Ambassadors Serving in the HPWD Region This Year:

• Tier I: Kade Gregory (Hockley County), Valaree Harper (Lamb County), Jenny Sullivan (Lubbock County)
• Tier II: Johan Grotegut (Deaf Smith County), Garrett Sanders (Lynn County)
• Tier III: Lynnlea Johnson (Swisher County)

High school students are selected for this program each year through a competitive application process.  The participants commit to at least 40 hours of education and service over a 12-month term. The program equips youth with knowledge and leadership skills to help manage and protect Texas water resources.

To learn more about the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program, visit www.texas4hwaterambassadors.com

American Ground Water Trust - 2025 Texas Groundwater Conference

The American Ground Water Trust hosted its 2025 Texas Groundwater Conference on June 17–18 at the Fibermax Center for Discovery in Lubbock, Texas. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders—including landowners, groundwater users, managers, hydrologists, engineers, legal experts, and concerned citizens—to address groundwater challenges in Texas.

With the Ogallala Aquifer in decline and West Texas cities increasingly dependent on groundwater as their primary water source, the conference focused on sustainable water management and long-term planning.

HPWD Dockum Aquifer Study

Jason Coleman, P.E., General Manager of HPWD, presented findings from the district’s ongoing Dockum Aquifer Study. Initiated in 2015, the study aims to deepen understanding of this vital groundwater resource. Coleman highlighted that HPWD began requiring permits for Dockum Aquifer wells in 2011 and launched the Dockum Aquifer Partnership Program in 2020 to support collaborative research and cost-sharing exploration.

The HPWD Dockum Aquifer interactive map (dockumstudy.hpwd.org) offers a wide range of data, including well logs, water quality samples, flow test results, and water level measurements from various monitoring wells.

Regional Collaboration and Legislative Action

Coleman also participated in a panel discussion with regional Council of Governments (COG) leaders, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration, technical coordination, and on-the-ground facilitation in securing long-term water supplies.

Texas State Senators Charles Perry (District 28) and Kevin Sparks (District 31) joined another panel to discuss recent legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 7 (SB7) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR7). These measures aim to expand the state’s water supply, fund new water sources, and modernize aging infrastructure—critical steps toward ensuring water security for future generations.

The conference agenda covered many current and critical groundwater topics, offering valuable insights for all attendees.

Texas A&M AgriLife Lubbock Center Subsurface Drip Irrigation Project

The 329-acre Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock is advancing agricultural research and outreach. However, limited well capacity and an outdated irrigation system have long hindered the success of field-based research and extension programs.

A state-of-the-art Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) system was installed on a 28-acre research field at the Lubbock Center to address these challenges. This initiative was primarily funded by the Texas A&M AgriLife Farm Equipment Fund, with additional support from HPWD through its 2024–25 Research & Demonstration Grant.

The SDI system, installed in May 2024, became operational on June 1, 2024. The accompanying photos showcase the system’s layout and installation process.

This advanced irrigation infrastructure enables precise soil moisture control and efficient water use, even with limited water availability. It supports various research projects, including high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) and developing drought-and heat-tolerant crop traits. The SDI system is expected to significantly enhance the center’s crop breeding programs and research capabilities. The SDI system additionally supports a project funded by an HPWD Research and Demonstration Grant, which focuses on developing heat-tolerant, high-antioxidant sweet corn inbred lines under limited irrigation.

Conservation Reminder

Skip the hose-grab a broom!

Cleaning driveways, patios, and sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose helps conserve water. It’s a simple switch that makes a big difference. Join the effort to conserve water—every drop counts!

Waste Reminder

Water waste is prohibited pursuant to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and HPWD rules.  What is waste? This month we will look at Chapter 36.001(8)(F), waste is defined as the following:

(8)(F) groundwater pumped for irrigation that escapes as irrigation tailwater onto land other than that of the owner of the well unless permission has been granted by the occupant of the land receiving the discharge

If you need assistance or have questions about preventing water waste, contact the High Plains Water District office at (806) 762-0181.

Administratively Complete Permit Applications

Upcoming Events

Free Rain Barrels Available! A Conservation Practice that HPWD promotes!
Want to save rainwater? We’re giving away 20 rain barrels! To claim one, email Jennifer McClendon at jennifer.mcclendon@hpwd.org with the subject "Rain Barrel Giveaway". Include your county of residence in the email. Pickup time will be arranged.

 Texas Water News and Drought Updates

• Water District Responds to Groundwater Permit Request-Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD) in East Texas.  Following the NTVGCD June 19 public hearing, Texas Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) spoke, calling for a hearing in Austin on July 15 to investigate the matter. The story of the hearing is available here from  KLTV in East Texas. You can view the official hearing notice for Tuesday, July 15, at 1:00 pm here.
• Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session of the Texas Legislature to begin Monday, July 21. The official announcement is here.
• The drought conditions map and the monthly outlook are updated.