Recap: 2023 Texas Groundwater Summit

With record attendance and a star-studded program, the 2023 Texas Groundwater Summit was one of the best yet. 430 people attended the 12th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, and dozens more joined us online from their offices and homes throughout the state. You can view the full detailed agenda and read all about the speakers in the event program here. Click through the photos and read below for a recap of the groundwater event of the year. 

The Texas Groundwater Summit general session presentations offered information relevant to the event’s diverse audience. Among those, we welcomed three wonderful keynote speakers. On Tuesday we heard from David Yoskowitz, the new Executive Director for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. He shared the agency’s priorities and some recent accomplishments related to water. Comptroller Glenn Hegar joined us on Wednesday to highlight the importance of water to the state’s financial health. His office recently published a report titled “Texas Water: Present and Future Needs 2023,” which echoes critical water issues highlighted in the latest state water plan. Click here to learn more and read the report. Wrapping up the conference was a keynote from L’Oreal Stepney, the newest board member of the Texas Water Development Board. L’Oreal provided information on how the TWDB will be involved in implementing anticipated water infrastructure funding – click here for an FAQ on this potential funding and see more details below on what our legislative panel had to say about it. Attendees reported that they enjoy hearing the big picture perspectives offered by keynote presenters.

In addition to general sessions, attendees also had the opportunity on Wednesday afternoon to attend breakout sessions that may be more specific to their work or more nuanced issues. One breakout track offered fundamentals for GCD board and staff members, while other tracks focused on technical, policy, or other aspects of groundwater management. This year’s breakout track topics included aquifer science, innovative groundwater management solutions, data, and groundwater protection.

Discussion panels are always a favorite of Texas Groundwater Summit attendees. Several people take the stage to share a diverse range of perspectives as they explore the complexities of an issue. Click the “+” icon to see details on this year’s panels.

Three esteemed legislators joined the groundwater community on Wednesday morning to share their perspectives on the recently concluded 88th legislative session. Senator Pete Flores, Representative Tracy King, and Senator Charles Perry shared their perspectives on critical water issues facing Texas, including a discussion on the passage of SB 28/SJR 75. This legislation would allocate one billion dollars to create a Texas Water Fund to assist in financing water infrastructure projects. The funding is contingent on successful passage of a constitutional amendment that will appear on voters’ ballots as Proposition 6 in the November 7 general election.

The Texas Groundwater Summit’s signature networking events offered participants an opportunity to network with other groundwater professionals in an informal environment. Whether it was over popcorn, cocktails, or ice cream sundaes, attendees enjoyed getting to know each other, reconnecting with old colleagues, and maybe even solving a few groundwater problems late at night! This collaborative spirit fostered by the Texas Groundwater Summit undoubtedly benefits groundwater management and partnerships throughout the state.

Tuesday’s Welcome Reception and Wednesday’s Happy Hour Reception were held in the hotel foyer and spilled out into the beautiful tree-shaded outdoor courtyard. After many attendees had dinner at one of the several onsite restaurants, everyone reconvened Wednesday night at the Luckenbach Pavilion for the legendary Drinks & Desserts Networking Event. While some folks were eager to battle it out over the ping pong table, a contingent of amateur astronomers sat just outside of the pavilion to gaze upon a “blue supermoon,” the biggest and brightest full moon of 2023. After ice cream sundaes and a few drinks, the competition heated up as some people played giant Jenga, cornhole, and domino games.

Returning for a third year, a photo booth was available for participants to commemorate their Texas Groundwater Summit experience. The photo booth had a variety of silly props that attendees could use to show their creativity as they posed with coworkers, board members, and new friends. Click here to view the full gallery of photo booth photos.

Slide presentations are available here on the TAGD website and video recordings will be available on the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts YouTube Channel by the end of the month. These videos are one of the many beneficial educational resources that TAGD provides to the groundwater community community and the public. If you shared your own photos or videos on social media, be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn and use the hashtag #txgroundwater2023.

TAGD members and newsletter subscribers will be the first to know when we have dates for the 2024 Texas Groundwater Summit – sign up for our email list here. We hope to see you next year!

Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors!