How does rapid population growth impact water demand in Texas?

The Texas Water Development Board projects that the state could grow from almost 30 million residents in 2020 to more than 51 million by 2070. This steep rise in population, especially in urban centers like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio, accelerates water demand for municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses, putting greater strain on infrastructure and supply.

What role do industrial growth and agriculture play in Texas water stress?

Industrial expansion, such as the construction of data centers requiring large volumes of water for cooling, and ongoing agricultural irrigation, are major contributors to water demand. Infrastructure inefficiencies, including aging and broken pipes, result in Texas losing about 88 billion gallons of water annually—enough to meet the residential needs of hundreds of thousands of households.

How does climate change affect water resources in Texas?

Climate variability and prolonged drought conditions are placing increasing strain on Texas water resources. For example, Medina Lake fell to 2.1% capacity in 2025, Lake Travis dropped more than 40 ft below full capacity, and the Barton Springs–Edwards Aquifer Conservation District declared an exceptional drought, triggering mandatory reductions of 30–100% in groundwater pumping.

What is water reuse and how does it help address Texas water challenges?

Water reuse involves treating and repurposing wastewater for non-drinking uses such as irrigation, cooling systems, industrial processes, and toilet flushing. By reducing demand on centralized potable systems, water reuse helps cities stretch existing resources further and build resilience into future growth.

How are Texas cities incorporating water reuse into their long-range plans?

Texas cities and utilities are increasingly incorporating water reuse into long-range water plans alongside conservation and supply diversification strategies. Programs like Austin's GoPurple initiative expand the use of reclaimed water for non-potable purposes and integrate reuse into new and existing developments, supported by financial incentives, code updates, and rebates.

What is Epic Cleantec's role in advancing water reuse in Texas?

Epic Cleantec helps developers and property owners design, permit, and implement onsite water reuse systems that align with local policy efforts, improve water savings, and contribute to sustainability goals. The company partners with communities ready to embrace innovative water management and build resilience for the future.

How can I get started with onsite water reuse for my project?

You can request a free project assessment from Epic Cleantec to evaluate your building's water reuse potential. The assessment includes a preliminary equipment list and dimensions for the proposed system.

What products and services does Epic Cleantec offer?

Epic Cleantec provides onsite water reuse systems, soil amendments (upcycling wastewater organics into nutrient-rich soil products), wastewater heat recovery, operations and maintenance services, and end-to-end project support including design, permitting, installation, and ongoing system operations.

How efficient are Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?

Epic Cleantec's systems recycle up to 95% of wastewater, significantly reducing water consumption and reliance on municipal water supplies. This high efficiency helps customers achieve substantial cost savings and sustainability goals.

What are the key features of Epic Cleantec's solutions?

Key features include modular and scalable design (processing flows from 1,000 to 30,000 gallons per day), compact footprint (equivalent to a few parking spaces), energy efficiency, full automation, customizable components, and comprehensive end-to-end services.

How does Epic Cleantec help customers achieve sustainability certifications?

Epic Cleantec's solutions help clients meet certifications like LEED and the Living Building Challenge by providing innovative water reuse and resource recovery systems that reduce environmental impact and support sustainability goals.

What technical documentation is available for Epic Cleantec's products?

Epic Cleantec offers downloadable spec sheets and Revit files for the OneWater™ system, as well as detailed technology overviews and integration guides. These resources can be requested via the company's website.

How easy is it to start working with Epic Cleantec?

Getting started is simple and efficient. Clients can begin without upfront costs and only need to provide three years of financial information, one year of water usage and rate data, and a review of corporation details. Epic Cleantec then establishes a Water Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and provides end-to-end project support.

What kind of support does Epic Cleantec provide during and after implementation?

Epic Cleantec offers comprehensive support including regular onsite visits, preventative maintenance, 24/7 assistance, and ongoing operations and maintenance to ensure systems run efficiently.

What are the integration requirements for Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?

Integration requirements include a three-way valve for diversion, sufficient storage for equalization and treatment, waterproofing of tanks/cisterns, safety shower and operator/lab sink, foul air treatment, high-speed internet, leak detection, and room drainage capacity. These ensure seamless implementation into various building infrastructures.

Who are Epic Cleantec's customers?

Epic Cleantec is trusted by industry leaders such as Salesforce, Crescent Heights, Forge Development Partners, The Green Cities Company, Kobayashi Group, and many others. These customers represent commercial real estate, residential, hospitality, mixed-use, and community-scale developments.

What industries are represented in Epic Cleantec's case studies?

Case studies span commercial real estate (Salesforce Tower, Campus at Horton), residential real estate (The Brady, Kuilei Place), hospitality (Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills), mixed-use developments (Chorus), and community-scale projects (Park Habitat, 601 W. Beech).

Can you share specific customer success stories?

Salesforce Tower in San Francisco features a 30,000 GPD blackwater, rainwater, and condensate recovery system operated by Epic Cleantec. The Brady residential building recycles over 6,000 gallons daily, saving 7K annually in utility fees. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills reuses over 438,000 gallons per year for landscaping.

Who can benefit from Epic Cleantec's solutions?

Epic Cleantec's solutions are ideal for real estate developers, property owners, architects, engineers, sustainability consultants, community-scale developments, corporate campuses, hotels, universities, wineries, breweries, distilleries, stadiums, and data centers.

What problems does Epic Cleantec solve for customers?

Epic Cleantec addresses water scarcity, rising utility costs, aging infrastructure, sustainability goals, environmental impact, and operational efficiency. Their systems recycle up to 95% of water, reduce reliance on municipal supplies, and support certifications like LEED.

What business impact can customers expect from using Epic Cleantec's products?

Customers can expect significant cost savings, enhanced sustainability profiles, alignment with ESG goals, operational efficiency, reduced environmental footprint, and resilience to water scarcity. Many achieve ROI within 3–7 years.

What are the main pain points Epic Cleantec's customers face?

Customers often face water scarcity, rising utility costs, aging municipal infrastructure, the need to meet sustainability certifications, environmental concerns, and operational inefficiencies. Epic Cleantec's solutions are tailored to address these challenges.

How does Epic Cleantec compare to other water reuse solutions?

Epic Cleantec offers modular and scalable systems, compact footprints, energy efficiency, full automation, customizable components, and end-to-end services. These features make their solutions versatile and effective for a wide range of applications, from small buildings to large community developments.

What advantages does Epic Cleantec offer for different user segments?

Real estate developers benefit from cost savings and improved ROI; community-scale developments gain enhanced sustainability profiles; universities can process up to 1 million gallons daily; wineries and breweries enjoy reliable water supply during droughts.

Why should a customer choose Epic Cleantec over alternatives?

Epic Cleantec's systems are trusted by leading organizations, offer high water recycling efficiency, cost savings, sustainability certification support, alignment with ESG goals, and proven performance in high-profile projects.

What performance metrics are available for Epic Cleantec's systems?

Epic Cleantec's systems recycle up to 95% of wastewater, process flows from 1,000 to 30,000 gallons per day, and have helped customers save over 7K annually in utility fees (as seen in The Brady case study).

How scalable are Epic Cleantec's solutions?

The systems are modular and scalable, suitable for projects ranging from small residential buildings to large community-scale developments, processing flows from 1,000 to 30,000 gallons per day.

What is the typical return on investment (ROI) for Epic Cleantec's customers?

Many customers achieve ROI within 3–7 years, thanks to significant savings on water and sewer utility costs and reduced reliance on municipal supplies.

The state of water in Texas: challenges, innovation, and the rise of reuse

Texas faces mounting pressure on its water supplies in 2026. The state’s population and economic activity continue to grow, but the water available to serve that growth is not keeping pace.

It is projected that the total existing water supply will shrink from about 16.8 million acre-feet in 2020 to roughly 13.8 million acre-feet by 2070, even as demand continues to rise. An acre-foot is about 325,851 gallons, meaning billions of gallons per year will no longer be readily available in future decades.

Water Supply Pressures Across Texas

Rapid Population Growth and Escalating Water Demand

The steep rise in water demand in Texas is tied directly to more people, more businesses, and more water-intensive industries. The Texas Water Development Board projects that the state could grow from almost 30 million residents in 2020 to more than 51 million by 2070, putting greater strain on water infrastructure and supply.

The pace of urban growth in cities like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio is accelerating the need for new systems to serve residents and businesses.

Figures from 2024 show Houston remains the largest city in Texas by far, with almost 2.4 million residents

As the state’s population increases and urbanizes, municipal water use rises alongside growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and power production. Projections in the State Water Plan show that total water demand will increase significantly over the coming decades, even with conservation measures taken into account.

Industrial Growth, Agricultural Demand, and Infrastructure Inefficiencies Driving Water Stress

With population growth comes new industrial demands that heavily influence water forecasts. For example, the rapid construction of data centers across Texas, which require large volumes of water for cooling systems, adds to municipal and industrial demand.

Likewise, agriculture continues to be a major water user, particularly in rural areas, where irrigation systems draw from both surface and groundwater.

Infrastructure loss and inefficiency add to the problem. In 2025 legislation, state officials highlighted that Texas loses about 88 billion gallons of water annually simply due to aging and broken pipes. That loss alone could meet the residential needs of hundreds of thousands of households, underscoring the dual need for infrastructure investment and demand management.

How Climate Change Plays a Part in Texas Water Issues

Climate variability and prolonged drought conditions are placing increasing strain on Texas water resources. Recent data highlights both the environmental and economic risks associated with a less diversified water supply portfolio.

Medina Lake (Texas Hill Country) fell to 2.1% capacity in 2025, reaching levels where virtually no water flows downstream without sustained rainfall.

Lake Travis (Central Texas) dropped roughly 636 ft above mean sea level during the 2025 drought, more than 40 ft below full capacity, underscoring the strain on regional water supplies.

The Barton Springs–Edwards Aquifer Conservation District declared an exceptional drought, triggering mandatory reductions of 30–100% in groundwater pumping across Central Texas.

Drought conditions extended across West Texas, where major reservoirs, including E.V. Spence and O.H. Ivie, recorded storage levels below 50% capacity during parts of 2025.

Economic Impact of Drought in Texas

The impact of these pressures is not just environmental but economic. A Texas 2036 assessment estimates that without a diversified supply portfolio, annual economic losses from prolonged drought could reach $160 billion by 2030, threatening jobs and investment across Texas.

U.S. Texas Drought Map 2026

Water Reuse as a Strategic Solution

Much of today’s water conversation in Texas focuses on increasing supply through new wholesale sources, irrigation limits, native landscaping, and infrastructure upgrades. While these efforts are critical, water challenges are not just about developing new supplies. It is also about how much fully treated drinking water is currently being used for purposes that do not require potable standards.

Water reuse is a practical and emerging strategy that involves treating and repurposing wastewater for non-drinking uses such as irrigation, cooling systems, industrial processes, and toilet flushing.

Onsite Water Reuse Systems (OWRS) offer a long-term planning strategy that complements supply-side investments. By treating and reusing water directly at the building level, OWRS reduces overall demand on centralized potable systems. Every gallon reused onsite is a gallon that does not need to be purchased wholesale, treated to drinking water standards, pumped through aging infrastructure, or conveyed across long distances.

In this way, reuse is not just an alternative supply. It is a demand-reduction strategy embedded directly into development, helping cities stretch existing resources further while building resilience into future growth.

Source: University of Southern California ReWater Center
The scales, source waters, and end uses of OWR.

Across Texas, cities and utilities are increasingly incorporating reuse into long-range water plans alongside conservation and other supply diversification strategies. One of the most forward-looking examples of water reuse implementation in Texas is Austin’s GoPurple program. Established by Austin Water as part of the city’s broader Water Forward 100-Year Plan, GoPurple is designed to expand the use of reclaimed water for non-potable purposes and integrate reuse into new and existing developments.

The initiative was formally approved by the Austin City Council to help conserve water and mitigate the impacts of drought while executing long-term planning priorities. The program includes financial incentives, code updates, and rebates to support builders and property owners as they make these changes.

The Future of Water Sustainability

At Epic Cleantec, we believe that sustainable water management means embracing a suite of solutions that support long-term resilience. Our work helps developers and property owners design, permit, and implement onsite reuse systems that align with local policy efforts, improve water savings, and contribute to overall sustainability goals.

Texas is facing challenging water dynamics. But with innovation, policy support, and strategic investment in reuse and infrastructure, the state can lead in building a smarter, more resilient water future. Epic Cleantec is proud to support and partner with communities that are ready to embrace that future and redefine how water is valued and used.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Texas Water Challenges & Context

What are the main water supply challenges facing Texas in 2026 and beyond?