Texas’ Killeen City Council voted unanimously not to approve a plan to sell water with Mayor Debbie Nash-King arguing: “You cannot put a price on water.”
Why It Matters
The United States is currently in the midst of a multifaceted water crisis caused by environmental issues such as drought, infrastructure challenges and international disputes.
In a January report, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that some 30 million Americans live in areas where surface water supply struggles to meet demand. A significant number of those affected by water scarcity reside in socially vulnerable communities.
Texas has long been struggling with its water supply for multiple reasons, including tensions over a water-sharing treaty with Mexico. It comes as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday that Mexico will immediately deliver water to Texas farmers, aiming to ease tensions with the United States under a decades-old treaty that has drawn renewed scrutiny and threats from President Donald Trump.
What To Know
Killeen City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday, with council members expressing concern about future usage, the Killeen Daily Herald reported.
“The city of Killeen is the golden city because we have a commodity that throughout the United States of America, people are trying to find sources to bring water,” Nash-King said.
City Manager Kent Cagle had argued in favor of selling excess water, arguing that the city had billions of gallons of water reserved, which cost $1.5 million in 2024 alone.
“There is a lot of concern about this issue and rightfully so – as we know, water is the new oil,” he said.
But he went on to predict that the city would make $14.8 million over the course of 20 years if the council approved the plan, which would allow 1.5 million gallons of water to be sold per day by transporting it through a 36-inch transmission line in Bell County.
AP
After the initial costs to Killeen, annual revenue could be $687,660, Cagle said.
However, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Gonzalez argued that, while Killeen has excess water now, it may need it in the event of a drought or some other issue.
She also said that, given the state of the water supply in the country right now, the city would likely see more offers to buy water in the future.
“There is going to be more tomorrow,” she said. “They’re going to keep knocking but I don’t think they can come in right now.”
What People Are Saying
Councilman Jose Segarra said Killeen would probably be asked to provide its excess water in the future anyway.
Cagle responded, saying, “I guess if at some point in the future, we’re no longer a nation of laws, but a nation of men, then yeah, they could probably do it. But I would also say that’s our rule that’s going to happen; we ought to sell as much of it now as we can and get money off of it, rather than having to give it up.”
What Happens Next
The contract was not approved, and Killeen will not sell its water. It remains to be seen what the rest of the country will do about its water shortage issues.