The region’s water supply is not at a critical juncture. At least not currently.
“We have enough water today, and we have enough water to sustain the growth, if we make the right investments,” said Dan Buhman, general manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District.
Buhman sat on a panel alongside Brian Coltharp, president and CEO of Freese and Nichols, and Ramon Romero, state representative for District 90, at the Fort Worth Report’s 1 Million & Counting Growth Summit and Luncheon.
The first panel of the inaugural event looked at the current state of water supply in both the region and the state as a whole. The conversation is not isolated to Thursday’s panel — local leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the region’s future water investment.
Panelists acknowledged the difficult conversations that result from exploring new water sources.
They frequently referenced water reservoirs, which Buhman said is the least costly method of water storage in comparison to new groundwater reservoirs and desalinisation.
Nevertheless, reservoirs, which supply over 40% of the state’s water usage, are not cheap. The Marvin Nichols Reservoir, a future water project that will supply over 320,000 acre-feet of water annually, has a current price tag of $7 billion.
“Every piece of public infrastructure is a balance of impacts and benefits,” Buhman noted.
Whatever the cost, all the panelists noted that water is not an optional expense. The population of Tarrant County alone will reach 3.8 million by 2080.
“If we continue to wait, and wait, and wait before we even start the permitting process, it might be too late,” Romero said.
State Rep. Ramon Romero speaks on a panel discussing water sustainability during a growth summit in Fort Worth on Oct. 23, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
“Do we want water or do we not want water? I think that’s what it boils down to,” Coltharp added.
The Legislature is trying to do its part. State officials approved Proposition 4, which allows for a $1 billion allocation annually to the state’s water fund, which can be invested in permitting, construction and other water-related expenditures across the state.
The proposition is on the ballot on Nov. 4. All of the panelists referenced its importance.
“It’s a great start, and we’re very appreciative of that to get that started, but we’re going to need to continue to do things like that,” Coltharp said.
Brian Coltharp, president and CEO of Freese and Nichols, addresses the future of water in Tarrant County during a growth summit in Fort Worth on Oct. 23, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
All the panelists noted Tarrant County has done a great job with local water conservation. Buhman said the region has seen water usage per person go down from 200 gallons a day to 140 gallons a day.
By comparison, Romero noted that Houston is losing more water through leaky pipes than Fort Worth uses in an entire year.
Still, all of the panelists encouraged attendees to do their part, whether that be emphasizing the importance of water conservation to local officials, using less water in their homes or voting for propositions that increase funding for water projects.
“It’s up to every single one of us to ensure that we continue to enjoy these fruits that have taken so long for so many people to make possible for us,” Romero said.
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
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