Relating to the use of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet certain standards as part of an aquifer storage and recovery project.
Summary
SB 2885 amends the Texas Water Code to allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), by rule or through an individual or general permit, to authorize the injection of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet commission-adopted standards. The bill is aimed at aquifer storage and recovery projects, which store water underground for later use, and it creates an explicit statutory pathway for using treated reclaimed water in those projects.
The measure does not broadly change all water reuse law, but it does carve out an exception to existing restrictions in Section 27.153 of the Water Code. By doing so, it gives the commission authority to approve this type of injection when the reclaimed water meets the required treatment standards. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and will affect TCEQ permitting practices, water utilities, and entities developing or operating aquifer storage and recovery systems.
Impact
SB 2885 modifies Section 27.153 of the Water Code by adding a new subsection that authorizes TCEQ to permit the injection of treated reclaimed water for aquifer storage and recovery projects. This expands the legal tools available for water reuse and underground storage, while leaving the commission responsible for setting the applicable treatment standards and permitting conditions. The bill is likely to affect water districts, municipalities, utilities, and other project sponsors seeking to store reclaimed water underground for future use.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally well received and moved with strong support, passing the Senate unanimously and the House by a substantial margin. The voting history suggests broad bipartisan agreement on the need to expand water supply and reuse options in Texas. The absence of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the final votes indicate overall favorable sentiment toward the measure.
Contention
The main policy issue underlying the bill is whether reclaimed water that has been treated to commission standards should be allowed for injection into aquifers as part of storage and recovery projects. Any concerns likely center on water quality, environmental protection, and the adequacy of TCEQ standards and permitting oversight. The House vote shows some opposition, indicating that a minority of members may have had reservations about the safety, regulatory scope, or long-term implications of expanding reclaimed water injection authority.