2025 Highlights

On this page you'll find photos and videos from the conference, including each of the general sessions. The TWDB was proud to host this successful event. 

 

Videos



Gallery

  • Exhibitors and attendees networking.
  • Dr. Lloyd Potter, Texas State Demographer, provided the opening keynote address on population growth in Texas and the importance of continued investment in water infrastructure.
  • Panelists Jeffrey Meadows, P.E., Garver; Allison Strube, P.E., Colorado River Municipal Water District; and Gilbert Trejo, P.E., El Paso Water, discussed the past, present, and future of direct potable reuse in Texas with moderator Ellen McDonald, Ph.D., P.E., Plummer.
  • Alan Day, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District; Sharlene Leurig, Fluid Advisors; Robert Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Meadows Center for Water and the Environment; and Carlos Rubinstein, RSAH2O, LLC, discussed groundwater-surface water interaction on a panel moderated by TWDB’s John Dupnik, P.G.
  • TWDB Board member, Tonya Miller, moderated a panel with chief innovation officers from large water utilities, Robert Bornhofen, Ph.D., DC Water; Leslie Jansen, Austin Water; and Tanja Rauch-Williams, Ph.D., P.E., Metro Water Recovery (not pictured).
  • Kyle Garmany, Texas Water Trade; Myron Hess, Law Office of Myron Hess PLLC; and Marty Kelly, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, shared an overview of the Texas Water Trust in a breakout session moderated by Jennifer Walker, Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation.
  • Moderator, Lorrie Council, P.G., Ground Water Protection Council, sat down with James Golab, TWDB; Keisuke Ikehata, Ph.D., P.E., Texas State University; and Michael Milczarek, GeoSystems Analysis, Inc., to discuss how pairing reclaimed wastewater with aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery could address mounting water demands.
  • Mami Hara of the US Water Alliance moderated a panel on One Water trends and efforts in Texas with panelists Marisa Bruno, Hill Country Alliance; Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Austin Water; and Jenna Walker, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
  • Scott Galaway of the TWDB discussed updates on lead inventories and funding with Jonathan Cuppett, 120Water; Laura Higgins, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and Jason Knobloch, Texas Rural Water Association.
  • Panelists Ben Eldredge, Cibolo Conservancy; Stacy Timmons, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources; and Gregory Waller, National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center, discussed data and collaboration in the water sector in a breakout session with Taylor Christian of the TWDB.
  • Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, CEO of the Texas Water Foundation, spoke with filmmakers Ben Masters, Fin and Fur Films, and Jay Kleberg, Gulf of Mexico Trust, about how art, film, and storytelling can influence water awareness during the inspiring keynote luncheon.
  • Nancy Richards of the TWDB facilitated a conversation on public-private partnerships with experts Stephen Auton-Smith, Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC; Michael Esparza, City of Alice; and Michael Irlbeck, EPCOR.
  • Reem Zoun, P.E., of the TWDB brought together panelists Baukje 'Bee' Kothuis, Ph.D., Netherlands Business Support Office, Texas; Jack Krolikowski, American Flood Coalition; Tina Petersen, Ph.D., P.E., Harris County Flood Control District; and Travis Pruski, Nueces River Authority, to discuss the groundbreaking inaugural state flood plan and compare practices from other states and abroad.
  • Panelists Kelley Dearing-Smith, Louisville Water; Natalie DeRoock, Tucson Water; and John Gonzalez, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, shared insights on strategic outreach efforts that can enhance conversations about the importance of water with moderator Samantha Villegas of Raftelis.
  • Richard Wade of the TWDB led a discussion on digital twin technology with Keith Owens, Fugro; Suzanne Pierce, Ph.D., Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas at Austin; and Elizabeth Savage, P.E., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Texas Community Watershed Partners Project Office.
  • The general session, 'Tomorrow’s Texas: Thirst for Growth Meets Water Supply Realities' was led by Brooke Paup, Chairwoman of the TCEQ, with panelists Robert Allen, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership; Scott Norman, Texas Association of Builders; Zac Rosenbaum, P.E., Samsung Austin Semiconductor; and Alia Vinson, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP.
  • TWDB Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney moderated the general session on 'Hot Topics in Texas Water: Forging a New Frontier' with Heather Harward, Texas Water Supply Partners; Stacey Allison Steinbach, Texas Water Association; and Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association.
  • A discussion on desalination included Charles Ortiz, P.E., Laguna Madre Water District; Art Ruiz, El Paso Water; and Shane Walker, Ph.D., P.E., Texas Tech University, which was moderated by Tom Pankratz, Global Water Intelligence.
  • Kelley Rich, P.E., of the TWDB spoke with Krista Bethune Melnar, P.E., Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Jonathan Holley, Harris County Flood Control District; Joshua Oyer, Texas General Land Office; and Charriss York, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, about nature-based solutions.
  • Dr. Margaret Cook of Houston Advanced Research Center led a panel to discuss 'The Water-Energy Nexus: Balancing Water Needs with Hydrogen Production' with Emily Beagle, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin; Jason Coleman, P.E., High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1; and Susan Shifflett, Texas Hydrogen Alliance.
  • Barry Liner, Ph.D., P.E., The Water Council, sat down with panelists Greg Eyerly of Houston Public Works and Richard Loeffler of Xylem to examine the potential of AI and the adoption of digital tools in water management.
  • Natalie Ballew of the TWDB moderated a panel discussing perspectives on groundwater exportation with Natasha Martin, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, PC; Jeremy Mazur, Texas 2036; and Shannon Rutherford, Terrill & Waldrop.
  • Panelists Matthew Berg, Ph.D., Simfero; Karl Flocke, Texas A&M Forest Service; and Vanessa Puig-Williams, Environmental Defense Fund, talked about ecosystem restoration projects and the ways ecosystem services bring value to Texas and the economy with moderator Sam Marie Hermitte of the TWDB.
  • The winners of the Blue Legacy Awards, presented by the Texas Water Foundation and the Water Conservation Advisory Council. Best in Flow: Shield Ranch Foundation, Blake Murden and Dallas Lam; Legacy of Source: Gregg Eckhardt, SAWS; Legacy of Commitment: Texas Forestry Best Management Practices Program, Al Davis and Rob Hughes; Legacy of Awareness: Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, Michael Turco and Ashley Greuter; and Legacy of Efficiency: Credit Human, Steve Hennigan; and Carole Baker.
  • A photo of the Blue Legacy Awards: hand-blown glass water pitchers on an engraved slab of polished post oak.
  • TWDB Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney at the podium during the Water for Texas 2025 conference.
  • The closing general session, 'The Texas Water Fund & Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session,' was an in-depth discussion on key water policy issues of the legislative session between Chairman Charles Perry, Texas Senate District 28, and TWDB Executive Administrator Bryan McMath.