Central Texas focused symposium that supports water providers with the resources needed to implement successful water conservation programs.

This year, we are focused on sharing information around emerging technologies and policies that are shaping the future of development across Central Texas. We will hear from state and national experts on the rise of data center growth, research of new water supplies, and evolving stakeholder engagement practices.

When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - 8:00 - 3:30
Where: LBJ Student Center @ Texas State University, 310 Student Center Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666
What: View Agenda

16th Annual Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium
Drops, Development, and Data: Navigating the Next Era of Water Conservation

Program Highlights:

Keynote: Thirsty Data: Water Use and the Projected Data Center Boom in Texas

Erin Kinney, Senior Research Scientist, Coastal Resilience and Communities, Houston Advanced Research Center

Session 1: Rainwater as a New Supply: What’s the Potential?

Tank You Very Much: Storing Rain for a Not-So-Rainy Day

Robert Mace, Executive Director, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University

Sky to Supply: Texas’ First Rainwater Public Water System

Blake Murden, Chief Executive Officer, Shield Land Stewardship Group

Session 2: Legislative Focus
Water Highlights from the 89th Legislative Session: Prop 4 and Beyond

Sarah Kirkle, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Texas Water Association

SB 14 Implementation: How utilities are addressing Impact Fees

Speaker TDB

Session 3: Interactive Session

Beyond Leak Alerts: Leveraging AMI to Engage Families in Unexpected, Creative, and Fruitful Ways

Nate Conroy, STEM Hero

Session 4: Raising the Bar: Irrigation by Design

Updating Landscape Irrigation Standards with an Eye Towards Conservation

Jason Homan, CEO Travis County WCID 17

Working with Stakeholders to Build New Programs - Irrigation Plan Review and Operational Irrigation Inspections

Nathan Riggs, Conservation Project Coordinator, San Antonio Water System

Lessons Learned: Implementing Frisco’s Irrigation Inspection Program

Ron Garcia, City of Frisco, Utility Superintendent

Post-Conference Field Trip

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment will host a 1 hour post-symposium tour at Spring Lake, home of San Marcos spring. The tour consists of a glass-bottom boat tour of the crystal-clear headwaters of the San Marcos River, offering views of unique aquatic life, bubbling springs, and historical sites. This will be followed by a walking tour of the wetlands boardwalk to learn about the importance of wetlands and the local flora and fauna that can call this area home. Additional cost of $10.

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Who Should Attend the 2026 CTWCS?

Mayors, City Council, Board Members of MUD's, Regional Water Authorities, City Managers, Water Utility Directors and Staff, Water Conservation Managers, Program Staff and other Relevant Staff, CFO's Finance Directors, Sustainability Directors, Business and Community Leaders, Consultants and Advocates.