BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2885 89R15522 KRM-F By: Flores Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 4/16/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Texas' growing population continues to place significant demands on its local water supplies. Local political subdivisions are committed to sustainable water resource management strategies to support ongoing industrial and economic growth. Numerous local entities have proposed to implement aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) of treated effluent to ensure long-term water security. However, Texas' regulatory framework lacks provisions to permit the use of reclaimed water as injectate in ASR projects, creating a critical barrier to innovative water management. S.B. 2885 seeks to expand the definition of allowable injectate for ASR projects to include reclaimed water that meets federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. As proposed, S.B. 2885 amends current law relating to the use of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet certain standards as part of an aquifer storage and recovery project. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 27.153, Water Code, by adding Subsection (b-1) to provide that, for purposes of Subsection (b) (relating to requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to consider certain factors in adopting a rule or issuing a permit under Section 27.153 (Authorization for Use of Class V Injection Wells)), water includes treated reclaimed water that complies with the standards set forth under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.). SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2885
89R15522 KRM-F By: Flores
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
4/16/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2885
89R15522 KRM-F
By: Flores
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
4/16/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas' growing population continues to place significant demands on its local water supplies. Local political subdivisions are committed to sustainable water resource management strategies to support ongoing industrial and economic growth. Numerous local entities have proposed to implement aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) of treated effluent to ensure long-term water security. However, Texas' regulatory framework lacks provisions to permit the use of reclaimed water as injectate in ASR projects, creating a critical barrier to innovative water management.
S.B. 2885 seeks to expand the definition of allowable injectate for ASR projects to include reclaimed water that meets federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
As proposed, S.B. 2885 amends current law relating to the use of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet certain standards as part of an aquifer storage and recovery project.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 27.153, Water Code, by adding Subsection (b-1) to provide that, for purposes of Subsection (b) (relating to requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to consider certain factors in adopting a rule or issuing a permit under Section 27.153 (Authorization for Use of Class V Injection Wells)), water includes treated reclaimed water that complies with the standards set forth under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.