Water Conservation Advisory Council (WCAC) Legislative Priorities

The Water Conservation Advisory Council (WCAC) is a state advisory body created by the 80th Texas Legislature in 2007 and operates under the Texas Water Development Board. One of their duties is to provide legislative recommendations to the Texas Legislature and state agencies on water conservation strategies and policies. 
 
The Council recently met to review and advance draft legislative recommendations focused on water conservation strategies across Texas. These discussions are particularly important during the interim, as WCAC recommendations can inform future legislation, rulemaking, and statewide water policy initiatives.  
 
For TNLA members, these priorities signal potential changes to irrigation practices, reporting requirements, and funding opportunities that could directly impact business operations and compliance. 

Key Legislative Priorities: ​

Landscape & Irrigation Best Practices (Master Valves) 
A recommendation was approved to require installation of master valves on all new landscape irrigation systems. These devices help prevent water loss from leaks and system failures and are considered a low-cost, high-impact conservation tool when installed upfront. 
 
Member impact: Contractors and irrigation professionals may see increased demand for master valve installation and should be aware of evolving expectations. 
 
Statewide Evapotranspiration (ET) Network 
 
WCAC is recommending that the Legislature provide additional funding to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to expand and support a statewide evapotranspiration (ET) network within the TexMesonet program. 
 
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a measurement of how much water is lost from soil and plants to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant use, and it is a key tool for determining how much and when to irrigate. 
The recommendation includes increasing appropriations (approximately $1.2 million for the biennium) to support: 
 

• Expansion and upgrading of weather stations to collect ET data 

• Additional staff and technical assistance 

• Studies to improve accuracy and placement of ET monitoring stations 

 
This builds on the existing TexMesonet network, which was established to provide statewide weather and water data but currently lacks sufficient resources to fully incorporate ET data. 
 
Member impact: Expanded ET data access could support more precise irrigation practices and strengthen the case for smart irrigation technologies. This may create opportunities for members offering advanced irrigation solutions. 
 
Irrigation Requirements for Single-Family Rental Properties (Still Under Development) 
 
WCAC is examining a proposal to update Public Utility Commission rules to extend existing tenant water-use protections to single-family rental properties. 
 
Currently, tenants in apartments, condominiums, and manufactured housing have protections related to water billing and responsibility under submetering rules. However, these protections do not apply to single-family rentals. 
  
In some cases, landlords require tenants to irrigate landscapes to maintain the property, even during periods when local water restrictions are in place. This can result in tenants facing fines, penalties, or higher water bills for actions required under their lease.  

The proposal would align all rental property types by extending these protections to single-family rentals, helping ensure tenants are not penalized for irrigation requirements outside their control. 
 
Member impact: Could affect how irrigation services are directed and who is responsible for compliance on rental properties, requiring landscape professionals to follow local water restrictions regardless of lease requirements. 
 
Agricultural Water Conservation Funding 
 
WCAC is recommending that water conservation projects, such as irrigation efficiency improvements and drought-resilience measures be clearly recognized as eligible for financial assistance through the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA). 
 
While TAFA already provides low-interest loans and other financial tools for agricultural production, water conservation is not explicitly identified in statute. WCAC’s recommendation is to highlight and reinforce that these activities qualify under existing authority. 
 
This recommendation does not create new funding or prioritize water conservation over other uses but instead increases awareness of existing financing options. 
 
Member impact: Increased visibility of funding opportunities could benefit selected growers engaged in water-efficient practices, particularly those eligible for conservation-related financial assistance. 
 
Municipal Water Use Transparency 
WCAC is recommending stronger reporting and visibility of: 

• Water conservation savings (BMPs)  

• Water reuse data  

 
The goal is to improve accountability and encourage better performance through clearer, more accessible data. This would include a full-time employee assisting utilities, review submitting data, and posting the conservation/reuse BMP volumes. Their path is for Texas utilities and water planning regions to better understand the progress and effectiveness of implementing water conservation and reuse strategies. 
 
Member impact: Increased transparency may lead to heightened scrutiny of outdoor water use and irrigation practices, particularly in municipal or commercial settings. This could influence local regulations, customer expectations, and how water use is tracked and reported. ​

What’s Next ​

WCAC will now move into developing a formal legislative report, including summaries and supporting visuals. 

• Recommendations are not yet final  

• No timeline has been announced for final adoption or release  ​

Why It Matters ​

These recommendations signal a continued focus on: 

• Conservation tools  

• Improved data transparency  

• Smarter irrigation practices across sectors  

 
TNLA will continue monitoring as recommendations are finalized and assessing potential impacts on the green industry. ​