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Environmental education. Innovation. Securing partnerships. Modern technologies. These were the ideas proposed by candidates running for the Tarrant Regional Water District board of directors when it comes to addressing a looming statewide water crisis, which has been a key priority for state lawmakers in Austin.Aside from discussing their goals and the agency’s role in North Texas, the candidates honed in on the importance of water supply at the April 16 candidate forum at Texas Wesleyan University hosted by The Fort Worth Report, KERA, SteerFW, Arcpoint Studios and the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County. All four candidates attended, including Tarrant County College biology professor Andrew Brinker; building inspection executive Johnathan Killebrew; real estate investor Skylar O’ Neal; and JPS Foundation President Leah King, the sole incumbent seeking reelection May 3. The top three vote-getters will be elected. The Fort Worth Report asked Tarrant Regional Water District board candidates the following questions. Answers can be viewed in full on YouTube.

Introductions

Water has been at the center of the Texas Legislature this session as massive growth is stretching resources thin across the state. What should TRWD be doing to expand water supply? How would you ensure North Texas has enough water? 

The Central City / Panther Island flood control project has been a work in progress for decades now, accompanied by delays in federal funding and construction. What is your view on the project, and how would you work to secure future funding under this new administration? 

Closing remarksKicking off the discussion, Killebrew said the water district has already taken up innovative efforts to address adequate water supply in Tarrant County. He pointed to the agency’s aquifer storage and recovery project, which is experimenting with storing water underground rather than in reservoirs where significant amounts are lost to evaporation.“Innovation like that is really exciting,” said Killebrew. “It’s projects like that (which) move and continue to supply the water for our county.”Addressing the statewide water crisis should not lead to changing the board’s direction but elevating the work already being done at the water district, suggested Brinker. He spoke on the importance of applying science to the water district’s existing initiatives to save more water. Johnathan Killebrew, candidate for Tarrant Regional Water District board, speaks at a candidate forum at Texas Wesleyan University April 17, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)“Using biology to not only clean the water, but to produce more water, is an excellent way to go about it,” said Brinker. Applying educational measures is where Brinker believes he can contribute to the district’s responsibility in conserving water. The water district’s conservation education program has seven employees, he said, but if elected, that is where he would help the agency see growth.The conservation education program is the water district’s key to producing a sustainable water supply, he added. Brinker and Killebrew agreed that some of the water district’s successes lie in other ongoing projects, such as the Integrated Pipeline Project expanding the amount of water that can be pumped from East Texas and the Marty Leonard wetlands.

The beauty in those projects is that some were funded through the water district’s partnerships with governing agencies, said King. The Integrated Pipeline Project will supply water to North Texas by connecting the region to water in Lake Palestine. That partnership allowed the water district to save on costs. “I would love to see the district continue, as we are identifying additional things to do in the future,” said King. “To bring and to secure the water that we need for the future for all the folks that continue to our area, is to figure out how we share those costs as best as possible.”Costs for securing water has been a weighty topic among state lawmakers in the 2025 legislative session, prompting lawmakers to file bills aimed at investing billions of dollars into water projects, planning and development of infrastructure to transport water. State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, wants lawmakers to consider alloting $5 billion toward maintaining water infrastructure and growing the state’s water supply. Board president Leah King participates in a candidate forum for Tarrant Regional Water District board at Texas Wesleyan University April 17, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)This action comes in response to projected water shortages. According to the Texas Water Development Board, the state could see severe water shortages beginning in 2030 as supplies run short and population grows. This would happen if there are recurring, record-breaking droughts across the state, the Texas Tribune reported. But some of the state’s proposed water projects, including the $7 billion Marvin Nichols Reservoir in northeast Texas, have spurred pushback from residents who say new reservoirs would needlessly flood their land and ruin their livelihoods. O’Neal suggested the water board look at what actions are being taken, not just from a regional perspective but on a broader scale, when it comes to securing water supply. “We want to ensure that we can continue to be eyes that are seeing what’s happening even outside of our own bubbles, even outside of the Tarrant County area, the state,” said O’Neal. Andrew Brinker, candidate for Tarrant Regional Water District Board, speaks at a candidate forum at Texas Wesleyan University April 17, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)That means keeping up with new technologies to tap into more water, she said. Staying in the loop with new technologies will ensure a long-term water supply, O’Neal added. Water district needs to be ‘creative’ in finding Panther Island fundsOn the topic of funding, all candidates displayed their confidence in the progress of the $1.16 billion Central City / Panther Island flood control project as funding uncertainties loom under the Trump administration. The project has earned more than $400 million in federal support but still needs $98 million to be considered fully funded.“We know that things are very different in Washington, relying solely on federal funding is not a good strategy,” said King. “We need to continue to make sure to look there, but we also have to be creative in thinking about what new mechanisms are available.”The water district is tasked with overseeing the flood control portion of the project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will construct a 1.5-mile bypass channel to reroute the Trinity River, providing flood protection to 2,400 acres in downtown Fort Worth. The channel will create the appearance of a natural island, with the city taking the lead on the economic development on the island. Skylar O’Neal, candidate for Tarrant Regional Water District Board, participates in a candidate forum at Texas Wesleyan University April 17, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)The pathway to securing funding for the flood control project is still in sight, but will look different under the new administration, said O’Neal. That also includes potential changes in the timeline. Nevertheless, she has hope that federal leaders can be convinced to allocate more funds toward the project. According to King, the board has been visiting with local, state and business leaders to determine how the Army Corps can best finish what it started. “The benefit we have is that the Corps has never left a project incomplete and this is not the project I would expect to be left incomplete,” said King. “The local community is already working together to keep this moving forward.” Early voting begins April 22 and runs through April 29. Election Day is May 3. Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.