Posted by Covered window: October 30–November 4, 2026
Highest-Impact item of all: the Blue Wave that just swept over Texas. This will have implications for the water space. Some of my early conversations with policymaker staff and my own reading and assessment of sector dynamic suggest pragmatism will win out fairly quickly in the Texas water world. Democrats want progress too and the issues moving voters (affordability, in particular) point to an electorate that is far more focused on pocketbooks and kitchen table issues than on ideology.
The folks elected in this historical shift will not have a long honeymoon before constituents ramp up the question of “what have you done to help me afford life essentials lately?” Water is perhaps not the foremost item on the table (energy and electricity score higher), but it will be in the mix. The one glaring exception is Corpus Christi, where water supply literally was on the ballot.
Pain at the the Plug is a very real theme right now. With smart policy, we can hopefully avoid Frustration at the Faucet.
1. Datacenters
Hinojosa victory changes the outlook for data-center approvals
Election: November 3; reporting: November 4
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa campaigned on a moratorium on data-center approvals until the Legislature enacts additional protections for communities, including water supplies. Her November 3 election makes that position consequential for project planning, but the campaign commitment is not itself a newly enacted rule. She takes office January 19, 2027.
Source: The Texas Tribune, November 4, 2026.
Harlingen reviews legal options on data-center water agreement
November 3
Harlingen’s city attorney is evaluating legal options concerning an agreement to supply a data center with 4.6 million gallons per day of effluent for $1.2 million annually. The development is a review of the agreement, not a confirmed cancellation or filed lawsuit.
Source: Valley Morning Star, November 3, 2026.
GBC insight note: This is a case where the city could alleviate significant political pressure by charging more for the water. One of the key themes of this election is not “no datacenters,” but rather, making sure they pay what the voting public sees as a “fair share” to offset potential power and water impacts. Charging less than $1 per thousand gallons is a fire sale. Charging 1.5 or two times the local average drinking water rate per thousand gallons would communicate a much different message to Harlingen residents and also better incentivize the datacenter developer to conserve water.
New Braunfels considers closed-loop cooling and aquifer protections
Scheduled consideration: November 4
Draft ordinance ORD26-367 would require closed-loop cooling and prohibit data centers over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. It was scheduled for the November 4 planning commission meeting, with a City Council first reading scheduled for November 9. These are proposed requirements, not an adopted ordinance.
Source: Comal News, November 4 meeting preview.
Chevron maintains Project Kilby’s 2028 first-power target
Reporting: November 2
Chevron’s chief financial officer said the state’s permitting freeze would not delay the Permian Basin project’s planned 2028 first power. Cooling is expected to use non-potable water. The statement describes the company’s schedule expectations; it does not establish a new permit approval or exemption.
Source: Insurance Journal, November 2, 2026.
San Angelo recall follows contentious data-center rezoning
Election: November 3; reporting: November 4
Voters recalled District 3 Councilman Harry Thomas, with approximately 67.9% supporting recall and 32.1% opposed, following a controversial 350-acre data-center rezoning. Reporting emphasized transparency and public-engagement concerns. The connection to water policy is contextual, through the city’s earlier data-center water ordinances, rather than a new water-policy vote.
Source: San Angelo LIVE!, November 4, 2026.
2. Other Consumers
Texas reservoir storage edges up to 72%, below its year-earlier level
November 4
Statewide conservation storage stood at approximately 22.7 million acre-feet, or 72.0% of conservation capacity, on November 4. That was up from 71.8% on October 28, but below 73.8% on November 4, 2025. The weekly movement was a modest increase, not a decline.
Source: Texas Water Development Board, November 4 reservoir snapshot.
Cotton harvest advances while wheat conditions remain weak
November 2
USDA reported Texas cotton harvest at 61% complete, ahead of the 48% average, while 34% of winter wheat was rated poor.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, November 2, 2026.
3. Deals
Select Water closes approximately $700 million Pilot Water acquisition
Closed: November 2
Select Water Solutions completed its acquisition of Pilot Water Solutions, whose principal operations are in the Delaware Basin. Consideration included approximately $600 million in cash and 5,149,331 Select shares. The agreement also provides for a potential $15 million operational milestone payment and a separate share-price true-up. The closing consolidates produced-water infrastructure, disposal capacity, and recycling opportunities. The announcement does not allocate the acquired assets between Texas and New Mexico.
Source: Select Water Solutions, November 2, 2026.
Blackbuck–Western Midstream: reported sale; public confirmation remains outstanding
WES disclosure: November 4; agreement signed in October
The reported Blackbuck sale to Western Midstream (WES) has not been independently corroborated in the public sources reviewed. Separately, WES’s November 4 Form 10-Q disclosed an October agreement to acquire an unnamed Delaware Basin produced-water gathering and disposal company for approximately $98 million, subject to customary adjustments, with closing expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The filing does not identify Blackbuck or establish that this agreement is the reported Blackbuck transaction.
Source: Western Midstream, third-quarter 2026 Form 10-Q, Note 12, “Subsequent Events”.
EagleRock adds 35,000 dedicated acres and $15.4 million of acquisitions
Announced: November 3
A new Double Eagle V dedication in Midland and Glasscock counties adds approximately 35,000 acres, bringing total Double Eagle acreage dedicated to EagleRock in the Midland Basin to approximately 105,000 acres. Two separate acquisitions totaling roughly 2,000 acres expand water supply, storage, and disposal capabilities. EagleRock says the new acreage dedication requires no upfront capital investment.
Source: EagleRock company announcement, November 3, 2026.
Related market indicators
The following quarterly results are operating updates, not new transactions.
Texas Pacific Land reports record produced-water royalties
Reported: November 4; period: third quarter of 2026
Third-quarter royalty-bearing produced-water volumes averaged 5.5 million barrels per day, and royalty revenue reached $41.4 million. These figures describe royalty-bearing activity, not a claim that Texas Pacific Land itself treated or transported the entire volume.
Source: Texas Pacific Land, third-quarter results, November 4, 2026.
WaterBridge reports record produced-water handling
Reported: November 4; period: third quarter of 2026
Third-quarter handling averaged 2.8 million barrels per day, up 6% sequentially, while revenue rose 17% year over year to $240.2 million. The company also reported stronger-than-expected performance from Speedway Phase I after its third-quarter in-service date. That is an operating update, not a commissioning during this edition’s reporting window. Delaware Basin totals are not necessarily Texas-only.
Source: WaterBridge company announcement, November 4, 2026.
4. Infrastructure
El Paso Water’s budget alternatives expose project and grant risks
Notice: November 3; workshop scheduled: November 4
El Paso Water scheduled a second workshop for November 4 on its proposed fiscal 2027–28 budget. Of four scenarios first presented September 30, the “High Risk” option would cancel six major project contracts, cut 300 positions, and put $31 million in grants at risk. These are consequences of one budget option, not adopted cancellations. The utility’s notice scheduled the final budget, rate, and fee vote for January 13, 2027.
Source: El Paso Water, November 3 workshop announcement.
Hooks issues and then rescinds boil-water notice after main leaks
November 2–4
Multiple major water-main leaks caused distribution pressure to fall below 20 psi, prompting a November 2 boil-water notice for the City of Hooks and Burns Redbank Water Supply. The city rescinded the notice on November 4 after the required water-quality testing.
Sources: City of Hooks, November 2 notice; City of Hooks, November 4 rescission.
North Texas district approaches completion of Custer Road main replacement
Reporting: November 2
The approximately $18 million, 30-inch Custer Road pipeline replacement was reported 99% installed. Completion was expected in late November, followed by repaving in January.
Source: Community Impact, November 2, 2026.
SAWS announces Hildebrand water-main replacement work
November 1
San Antonio Water System announced approximately one mile of water-main replacement on Hildebrand between Highway 281 and McCullough. The work is expected to involve six months of phased, round-the-clock road closures.
Source: San Antonio Water System, November 1, 2026.
5. Legislation
Corpus Christi approves industrial drought surcharges, with five-year grace period
Election: November 3; reporting: November 4
Voters approved Proposition B with approximately 68% support. The charter amendment replaces industrial drought-surcharge exemptions with charges ranging from $3 to $12 per thousand gallons as reservoir levels fall. Implementation is subject to a five-year grace period, so the vote does not impose an immediate increase. City Manager Peter Zanoni said he expects industry litigation and challenges before the Public Utility Commission. The election result remains subject to canvass.
Source: Texas Public Radio / KEDT / Inside Climate News, November 4, 2026.
Midland voters reject approximately $299 million water bond
November 3
Midland County Utility District’s proposed $299.015 million bond authorization failed. The Midland Reporter-Telegram reported 3,547 votes against and 1,266 in favor, or approximately 73.7% opposed. The proposal would have financed water-system improvements and expansion. These are reported, unofficial results pending canvass.
Source: Midland Reporter-Telegram, November 3, 2026.
Election changes the direction of future regulatory appointments
Election: November 3; reporting: November 4
The gubernatorial result changes the outlook for future appointments to agencies including TCEQ and the Public Utility Commission; it does not immediately replace their entire memberships. TCEQ commissioners serve staggered six-year terms, with Senate advice and consent and one term expiring every two years. Changes in agency leadership therefore depend on appointment opportunities, not merely the election result.
Sources: Inside Climate News, November 4, 2026; TCEQ, Office of the Commissioners.
Single ballot authorizes approximately $74 million in Collin County MUD bonds
November 3
Unofficial results show one voter confirming The Preserve Municipal Utility District and approving $74,097,319 in water, sewer, and drainage bonds. This is voter authorization, not evidence that bonds have been issued or construction has begun.
Sources: Collin County, November 3 unofficial results; The Preserve MUD, notice of election.
6. Litigation
Camp Mystic bankruptcy governance revised through independent fiduciaries
Order: November 2; reporting: November 3
A November 2 bankruptcy order approved a governance structure using independent fiduciaries to address conflicts of interest without appointing a Chapter 11 trustee. The arrangement concerns authority over bankruptcy plans, estate assets, and litigation arising from the July 2025 flood. This is a flood-related bankruptcy development, not a new water-rights ruling.
Source: The Texas Lawbook, November 3, 2026.
NTMWD challenges Belle Vie wastewater permit
Scheduled consideration: November 4
The November 4 TCEQ agenda scheduled North Texas Municipal Water District’s motion to overturn the executive director’s decision on Belle Vie Utilities’ permit WQ0016459001. The agenda establishes scheduled consideration, not an outcome.
Source: TCEQ, November 4 agenda, item 3.
7. Regulation
Produced-water land-application and reuse rules reach adoption agenda
Scheduled consideration: November 4
TCEQ scheduled adoption consideration of Chapter 309 and Chapter 210 amendments implementing Senate Bill 1145. They address produced-water land application and reuse. The agenda does not establish adoption or an effective date.
Source: TCEQ, November 4 agenda, item 60.
TWDB schedules review of 2027 State Water Plan changes
Scheduled discussion: November 4
The November 4 work-session agenda included Phase II public-comment responses and proposed changes to the 2027 State Water Plan. The same agenda included legislative priorities for the 90th Legislature. These were discussion items, with no final action scheduled.
Source: Texas Water Development Board, November 4 work-session agenda.
Lead-service-line replacement financing plan enters TWDB discussions
Scheduled discussion: November 4
The November 4 work-session agenda included the fiscal 2027 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Replacement Intended Use Plan. Its inclusion is a planning and financing development, not an award to a particular utility. No final action was scheduled on the item.
Source: Texas Water Development Board, November 4 work-session agenda.
San Angelo return-flow permit scheduled for consideration
Scheduled consideration: November 4
Permit application 13741 seeks to convey 13,443 acre-feet of return flows through the Concho River for subsequent municipal use. TCEQ scheduled consideration of hearing requests; the agenda does not establish permit issuance.
Source: TCEQ, November 4 agenda, item 6.
Houston County groundwater-district petition placed on TCEQ agenda
Scheduled consideration: November 4
TCEQ scheduled landowners’ petition GPA-260305 for a groundwater conservation district matching Houston County’s boundaries. The petition’s placement on the agenda does not establish district creation.
Source: TCEQ, November 4 agenda, item 2.
Water-enforcement matters listed for commission consideration
Scheduled consideration: November 4
TCEQ’s November 4 agenda included water-enforcement matters involving Aqua Texas, Fort Worth, and Trinity River Authority. Listed orders are not treated here as final commission actions.
Source: TCEQ, November 4 commission agenda.
8. Technology
TWDB schedules desalination biennial-report briefing
Scheduled discussion: November 4
The November 4 work-session agenda included the 2026 Biennial Report on Seawater and Brackish Groundwater Desalination for the 90th Legislature. The item concerns statewide technology and supply-planning context; it is not a plant commissioning or construction authorization. No final action was scheduled.
Source: Texas Water Development Board, November 4 work-session agenda.
How I created this update
I ran a deep AI scrape followed by manual review of key items that came up. Each item in this briefing was accepted after human review. Developments are included when they occurred or were first reported between 30 October and 4 November 2026. Roughly fifty-five candidate items were set aside as falling outside that window, and eight more because the source did not support the claim. Where a figure identifiably originates with an advocacy group or a model rather than an agency or a measurement, this briefing says so. This methodology section is subject to change as I continue publishing these updates, improving my process, and learning from reader feedback and incorporating those insights and ideas.
Suggested Citation: Gabriel Collins, “Texas Water Intelligence Weekly,” Issue #2, 5 November 2026