S.B. No. 616 amends the Water Code to regulate aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that intersect the Edwards Aquifer. The bill specifies that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) may authorize injection wells that transect the Edwards Aquifer under certain conditions. These conditions include the injection of groundwater withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer, stormwater, floodwater, or groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves in karst areas, and the injection of water into a geologic formation underlying the Edwards Aquifer for ASR projects. The latter is specifically defined to include projects in Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35 and in Medina County.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the TCEQ adopt rules to implement these changes by March 1, 2026. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025. The bill passed both the Senate and the House with overwhelming support, indicating strong legislative backing for the regulation of ASR projects in relation to the Edwards Aquifer.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)
Senate Committee Report: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)
Engrossed: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)
House Committee Report: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)
Enrolled: Water Code 27.051 (Water Code 27)