By Alejandra Martinez, Berenice Garcia, Carla Astudillo, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Jayme Lozano Carver, Jess Huff, Suraj Thapa and Yuriko Schumacher, The Texas Tribune.

From the Rio Grande to Lake Travis, from the Ogallala Aquifer to the Red River, Texas’ water supply is under duress. The state's rapidly expanding population, deteriorating infrastructure, and warming climate threaten its water supply — and by extension, its economy and way of life. The state's regional diversity and patchwork of governments complicate matters further.

To understand the threat each region faces, Texas Tribune journalists traveled across the state and closely followed the legislative debate in Austin. This special report presents their ongoing work.

Texas voters will be asked this fall to approve a $20 billion package to protect the state’s water supply. The proposal — which was approved by lawmakers earlier this year — calls for 50% to be spent on improving the state’s water infrastructure. The other half will be spent on finding new water supply, like cleaning salty groundwater. Voters previously approved a similar, but much smaller package, in 2023. While it might sound like a lot of money — and it is — the $20 billion is just a fraction of what some experts believe the state needs to invest going forward.

Below, you'll find guides explaining the problem and possible solutions, an AI-powered chatbot answering questions about the state's water supply and a tool for local water supply data, and our best reporting from across the state. The Tribune will have full coverage of the election this fall.

The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented Read more

Here's what to know

Water is complex. So are the terms used to describe it. Get to know the language as Texas debates how to save its water supply. Read more

Here's what to know

State lawmakers are poised to devote billions to save the state’s water supply. These are some of the ways the state could spend the money. Read more

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Here's what to know