In 1991, The Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean Rivers Act [Senate Bill 818]. The Act was intended to move Texas toward comprehensive water resources planning and management to ensure the integrity of the state's water supply over the long term.

State leaders know that the water needs of some 17 million people across Texas are currently met while still leaving some 25% of the state's water capacity in reserve. However, some forecasts show the state's population doubling over the next fifty years while Texas water supplies will remain relatively fixed. Additionally, various water pollution concerns remain to be addressed across the state even after several decades of remarkable and substantial progress in restoring the quality of Texas waters.

The Clean Rivers Act requires an ongoing assessment of water quality issues and management strategies statewide to guide Texas water resources policy and decision-making into the 21st Century. The Act established the Texas Clean Rivers Program under the Texas Water Commission (now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality , or TCEQ, after TWC's merger with the Texas Air Control Board in 1992). The program is funded by fees assessed on wastewater discharge permittees and water rights holders as well as through TCEQ's own state appropriations.

For a description of the Steering Committee process, stockholder roles and how to get involved in the process click here.