exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

This summer has already produced three answers to questions the data center industry would have preferred to leave theoretical. In May, PJM Interconnection—the grid operator serving data-center-dense northern Virginia—received emergency authorization from the Energy Department to curtail power to data centers because of “atypically hot mid-May weather conditions.” 

READ: This summer’s heat is a live stress test for data centers—here’s what it’s revealing in real time

Port Arthur City Council is seeking a $13M state grant to replace aging water lines in Sabine Pass, aiming to reduce chronic water loss and strengthen reliability.

The Three Forks project is part of Georgetown's $1.96 billion five-year water and wastewater capital improvement plan. Officials are currently in the design phase for the facility, and construction is set to begin in 2027.

A House natural resources committee hearing offered a chance for Texans to share their thoughts about data centers, and previewed potential legislation that may be taken up next year.

Kyle spent $250,000 to reserve water from a proposed desalination plant near Corpus Christi. Now officials must decide whether to invest another $250,000 and continue backing the project.

More than a year after a private wastewater treatment facility was proposed in southeast Tarrant County, residents are asking state environmental regulators to reconsider its application. Dressed collectively in red, more than 150 attendees gathered at the Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center on June 18 to urge members of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to prevent a domestic wastewater treatment facility from being built in Burleson.

Richardson City Council directed city officials to move forward with a new water and wastewater rate plan that will increase rates and restructure base charges to pass more charges to commercial users.

Many parts of the state of Texas saw some much-needed rain in recent weeks. But in Wimberly, the home of popular tourist spot Jacob’s Well, drought has caused the well-known Texas destination to close for another year. This marks four summers in a row that swimming has been closed.

The Kyle City Council authorized a contract with the Crystal Clear Special Utility District to receive water to meet projected demand.

Before dawn on July 4, 2025, catastrophic flooding swept through the Texas Hill Country when the Guadalupe River surged and rose about 30 feet in an hour, washing away bridges and roads and killing at least 137 people.

Almost a year after an unknown number of fish died at the well-known Bedford Boys Ranch Lake, city and state officials along with volunteers are joining forces to restore the delicate ecosystem. According to a news release, the City of Bedford formed a partnership with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and “dedicated volunteers” to plant 370 native aquatic plants throughout the lake, including pickerelweed, water willow, and eelgrass.

Texas is one of the most active data center markets in the country, and North Texas is its leading edge. New hyperscale projects are being proposed across Dallas-Fort Worth, from suburban Dallas to Tarrant County to the corridor running north through Denton and Collin. Local officials are weighing these proposals on timelines measured in months, with consequences that will be felt for decades.

As a 40-year agreement between the city of Round Rock and Meadows at Chandler Creek Municipal Utility District is set to expire, city officials will consider a measure to extend negotiations with the district until Dec. 31, 2026. 

Emergency restrictions are now expected to hit in September 2027, so the coastal city still faces a challenging future.

The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution establishing a 180-day review period for high water usage development applications.

More than a week after heavy rains drenched parts of South Texas, water is still moving through the Nueces River system, bringing relief to drought-stricken communities and helping replenish water supplies downstream.

READ: This river hasn't looked like this in years, county judge says

The San Marcos City Council voted to prohibit data center development in all city zoning distinctions through a land use matrix amendment June 16.