The Sierra Club supports Proposition 4 because it would improve local water reliability through repairs and upgrades to aging systems, reducing water loss, boil notices, and service disruptions. It would strengthen disaster preparedness through the funding of flood mitigation projects that increase community resilience to extreme weather. It would also mean there would be support for long-term water supply solutions to help communities meet growing demand and address water shortages.
However, a portion of the funds might also be used for environmentally harmful projects, such as desalination plants for polluting industries and interbasin transfers schemes, and large open-air reservoirs like the proposed Marvin Nichols project in northeast Texas. If Prop 4 passes, we need all Texans who care about water conservation and smart drought and flood planning to get involved and advocate for projects that do the most good for Texas and our environment.