S.B. No. 616 amends the Water Code to regulate aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that intersect the Edwards Aquifer, specifically in Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35. The bill clarifies 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 These conditions include the injection of groundwater withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer, stormwater, floodwater, or groundwater through improved sinkholes or caves, and specifically, the inclusion of ASR injection wells that inject water into a geologic formation underlying the Edwards Aquifer.

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 of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025. The amendments aim to provide a structured approach to managing water resources while ensuring environmental protection in the region.

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)