FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MENARD, TX – July 14, 2026 – Texas Water Trade announced an historic first for the organization: the acquisition and subsequent dedication of 515 acre-feet of senior water rights to the San Saba River Trust. This acquisition enhances and supports approximately 2.5 miles of the San Saba River and permanent in-stream flow, preserving and protecting more than one billion gallons of water over the next decade to benefit the habitats, communities, and businesses that rely on it.
This is the first-ever permanent acquisition by Texas Water Trade and one of the first permanent water-right dedications to a local river trust in Texas. This novel acquisition model enables NGOs like Texas Water Trade to support local communities through regional water trusts and ensure water rights benefit natural and economic resources in the region.
“Managing water responsibly during drought is one of the most important challenges facing communities like ours,” said Meredith Allen, General Manager of the Menard County Water Control and Improvement District. “When water becomes scarce, it is critical that local communities have the tools to manage water in ways that reduce conflict, protect working lands, and meet local needs first. Partnerships with organizations like Texas Water Trade help make that possible by supporting solutions that protect local water resources while helping build the financial capacity to invest in the infrastructure our community needs to remain secure and resilient in the years ahead.”
Securing this large senior water right for public benefit and instream use boosts future water stability in Menard County at a time when some Texas communities are running out of water and the state projects it will need to spend $174 billion on infrastructure updates over the next 50 years to avoid a water crisis.
“This acquisition is an innovative, locally-led solution to a statewide issue,” said Scott Moorhead, CEO of Texas Water Trade. “This collaboration ensures that privately held water rights remain locally managed in ways that support the agricultural communities, landowners, and economies rooted in this basin. By anchoring these rights in the hands of local water managers and reinforcing their protection, we are safeguarding private property rights and promoting local investment while building a more resilient water future for the region and the state.”
Working hand in hand with partners throughout the state, Texas Water Trade co-develops programs to encourage smart water management and ensure a sustainable water supply for today and tomorrow.
Texas Water Trade tests and implements scalable solutions that address the state’s diverse water challenges. This includes collaborative water rights agreements, such as the San Saba River Trust, enhancing more than 4,000 acres of wetland habitat along the coast through its dedicated environmental water fund, providing clean drinking water in West Texas with Vida Water, and working with developers and community leaders across the state to incorporate infrastructure that can help achieve net-zero water usage.
About Texas Water Trade
Founded in 2018, Texas Water Trade is the state’s leading nonprofit organization focused on scalable, market-based solutions that address Texas’ interconnected water needs today and for the future. Texas Water Trade believes in the power of collaboration and works hand-in-hand with partners from every sector across Texas, co-developing innovative, incentivized programs to encourage smart water management and ensure a sustainable water supply for Texas’ people, nature, and economy. Learn more at texaswatertrade.org.
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