As droughts in the United States become more frequent and longer-lasting, new assessment tools are needed. A new National Academies report examines how the field of drought assessment can better account for shifting drought conditions and proposes a framework to support drought monitoring, planning, and decision-making to meet future challenges.

Source: U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable | National Academies

Kyle Bass-linked landowners sued an East Texas groundwater district over a moratorium they say blocks their private water rights.

Source: Kyle Bass-Linked Companies File Federal Lawsuit In Texas Water War | Dallas Express

The city is formally challenging a state groundwater planning decision it says is incorrect and could limit future growth.

Source: Laredo pushes for water allocation change, seeks second water source | KGNS

NUECES COUNTY, Tx — A Texas state representative is drafting a bill to abolish the district that oversees groundwater permits in the Corpus Christi area, arguing the current setup creates a conflict of interest for private well owners and nearby residents.

Source: Rep. Villalobos says CCASRCD has a conflict of interest and is drafting a bill to shut it down | KRIS 6

For generations, the Ogallala Aquifer has quietly powered one of the greatest agricultural success stories in history. Stretching beneath the Great Plains from South Dakota to Texas, this vast underground reservoir transformed what was once largely dry prairie into some of the most productive farmland on Earth.

Source: America’s most important water source is disappearing. Here’s why it matters. | Yahoo News

A South Texas state senator is pressing the Nueces River Authority to explain its finances, questioning whether the agency can keep operating long enough to deliver a major water project that communities across the state are counting on.

Source: State senator presses Nueces River Authority to explain its finances | KRIS 6

El Paso City Council reviewed Northeast water supply/infrastructure amid Meta data center concerns. El Paso Water says avg use is 480K gal/day, max 2.5M in extreme heat—under 1% overall. No vote expected.

Source: Meta data center water cap set at 2.5M gallons a day; average pegged at 480,000 | KFOX 14

Van Zandt County agreed Wednesday to work with a law firm in an attempt to join other counties and create a groundwater conservation district.

Source: Van Zandt County agrees to work with law firm in planned creation of groundwater conservation district | KLTV

Governor Abbott sent a letter to the state’s largest power-grid, ERCOT, and the public utilities commission laying out several new datacenters laws he’ll be supporting in 2027. Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Rep. Cody Harris, R – Palestine, spoke to Lone Star Politics about the ideas he supports.

Source: New laws coming for data centers says House Chair of Natural Resources | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Experts say we need needs tens of billions of dollars in new infrastructure to shore up our water supply. So why can’t data centers just fill out a water-use survey?