Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)

Since 1957, the TWDB has been charged with addressing the state's water needs. The TWDB

works to ensure Texans have access to sufficient, clean, and affordable water supplies that foster a healthy economy and environment. The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas.
Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development. The TWDB's main responsibilities are threefold: collecting and disseminating water-related data; assisting with regional water supply and flood planning that contributes to preparing the state water plan and state flood plan; and administering cost-effective financial programs for constructing water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

The TWDB maintains a centralized data repository of information on the state's natural resources called the Texas Geographic Information Office (TxGIO) and manages the Strategic Mapping (StratMap) Initiative; StratMap is a Texas-based, public- and private-sector, cost-sharing program to develop consistent, large-scale digital base maps describing surface water, elevation, transportation, aerial photography, and other information. 

A full-time, three-member Board appointed by the governor considers loan applications from eligible applicants, awards grants for water-related research and planning, and conducts other TWDB business, such as approving the state water plan.