A collation of experts and students representing the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, along with representatives from the Texas Tech University School of Law and the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, will serve as the core leadership of a new chapter of the Texas American Water Works Association (TAWWA).
“Our aim is to have this chapter translate into a dynamic platform for agriculture, natural resources, engineering and law and policy students to engage in multi-disciplinary discussions and interactions on water,” said Krishna Jagadish, Thornton Distinguished Chair and Professor of Crop-Forage-Livestock systems within Texas Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science. In addition, he is director of the Davis College Water Center.
Jagadish stressed that Davis College faculty and staff recognize the need for all types of water users to come together to communicate about critical issues for the future of water both in agriculture and in urban settings. TAWWA has the largest water related state membership in Texas and has recognized the need for cooperation.
A partnership between the groups was formed to create the inaugural Agricultural Water Sustainability Summit held in Lubbock last August. At the time TAWWA leaders expressed an interest in creating a chapter in the High Plains to further cooperative work in the water area, he said.
“With the larger issue of declining water resources, it is important to recognize what is already being done to conserve and protect this precious resource, and how both urban and agricultural users can be active participants in the process,” Jagadish said.
Texas Tech is perfectly positioned both geographically and in expertise of faculty to further water conservation efforts in the state, and to provide education and awareness of concerns and solutions for the future of water for all users, Jagadish added. In addition, he said, the High Plains has been identified by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a priority Hydrologic Unit Code-12 (HUC-12) area.
The TAWWA has formed numerous student chapters within the prestigious universities across Texas, and creating one within the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech opens the door for TAWWA to better serve the High Plains area of Texas with its goals in mind of protecting the public health and environment through effective management of Texas’ most vital resource, water, said Daniel Nix, Executive Director of the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association.
“This is a great opportunity for students to get involved, learn more about the water field, and network with professionals.,” said Shane Walker, Professor and Director of the Water and the Environment Research (WATER) Center in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering at Texas Tech. In addition, he is a professional member of the American Water Works Association.
“Facilitating student collaboration across departments creates a unique opportunity that will enrich their educational experience and can increase job prospects,” added Amy Hardberger, the George W. McCleskey Professor of Water Law and Director of Tech’s Center for Water Law & Policy.
Alexis Nix, a senior within Davis College’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences, will serve as the inaugural president of the Texas Tech Student Chapter of TAWWA. The Wichita Falls native and FFA American Farmer is very familiar with water availability issues and agriculture, having endured a new drought of record in her region from 2011 through 2015.
Nix has been active in studying water quality issues affecting livestock production and interned with the TAWWA during the summer of 2024, assisting with the development and hosting of the Agriculture Water Sustainability Summit. Students interested in becoming members of the TAWWA chapter at Texas Tech are encouraged to reach out to Nix here.
TAWWA chapters meet on a routine basis and provide training and networking with other water professionals related to water issues. Among the current chapters are Capital Area Chapter (Austin area); Rio Grande Chapter (Lower Valley); Central Texas Chapter (Waco/Temple area); Southeast Texas Chapter (Houston area); Coastal Bend Chapter (Coastline); South Texas Chapter (San Antonio); Desert Mountain Chapter (El Paso area); Texas A&M Water Network; North Central Texas Chapter (Metroplex); and Rice University Chapter.
The Texas Section of AWWA has a long history of sharing its knowledge and experiences in solving tough water related issues to provide sufficient water supplies and the highest quality of water to the citizens of Texas. Formed originally in 1912, as part of the Southwest Section, which included Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, the Texas portion grew in size until 1971 when it was large enough to separate into its own Section.
Over the last 53 years, TAWWA has grown into the largest single-state section within the AWWA family, with over 4,600 members who are committed to advancing technology, science, advocacy, policy and education as water professionals and stewards of the water resources of Texas and the public drinking water supplies. TAWWA holds the largest State water conference in North America, Texas Water, annually with over 8000 attendees and 800 exhibitors.
CONTACT: Krishna Jagadish, Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-7953 or kjagadish.sv@ttu.edu
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