The campaign for Texas State Representative James Talarico announced a water drive in Seagoville for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to support the Water for Sand Branch Coalition, which aids about 94 households in Sand Branch, Texas, that currently lack permanent access to safe water and sewer services. The drive is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Sand Branch, a small unincorporated community in southern Dallas County, has never had a functioning municipal water or sewer system. Residents have long relied on hauled water and bottled supplies due to unsafe private wells, despite decades of advocacy and planning.

In 2020, the Texas Water Development Board approved $450,000 in financial assistance to the Sandbranch Water Supply Corporation to support planning and feasibility studies for a centralized water distribution and wastewater collection system. The funding, provided through state revolving funds, was intended to cover engineering and planning costs for potential water and sewer infrastructure development.

After taking office in January 2023, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, whose district includes Sand Branch, partnered with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins to renew efforts addressing the water crisis. Meetings with county officials and community members in April and May 2023 explored extending water and sewer infrastructure, potential funding sources, and coordinated planning, as reported by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.

Local advocates, including the Water for Sand Branch Coalition, have proposed connecting the community to Dallas utilities. Dallas Weekly reported an estimated total project cost of $12.5 million, with $8 million for water and sewer infrastructure and $4.5 million for community protections such as bill assistance and property tax safeguards.

Crockett’s office has also helped secure broader federal funding, reporting over $10.4 million for community projects in fiscal year 2024, including wastewater improvements in nearby municipalities, with additional funds in fiscal year 2025 appropriations addressing water, environmental, and public health infrastructure needs.

Despite these efforts, as of 2026, construction of a permanent municipal water and sewer system in Sand Branch has not begun. Advocates continue pursuing federal and state grants—including potential support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and USDA—while raising awareness about ongoing infrastructure needs. Reporting by Spectrum Local News notes that full project funding has yet to be secured.

Government Roles in Infrastructure

Efforts to install pipes and build water and sewer infrastructure involve multiple levels of government. Local city and county public works or utilities departments oversee planning, permitting, and maintenance, while city and county engineering offices coordinate design, zoning, and environmental reviews. At the state level, agencies like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulate water quality and approve permits, and the Texas Department of Transportation coordinates projects affecting roads or highways. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may provide oversight or funding, particularly for large projects or environmental compliance. Additionally, utility districts or river authorities in Texas often manage or operate water and wastewater systems.

Why Progress Has Been Slow

Efforts to bring running water to Sand Branch are ongoing but hindered by the community’s unincorporated status. Without municipal government, infrastructure projects cannot be automatically implemented.

• State Law and Incorporation: Texas law requires incorporation to establish a municipal government capable of providing utilities. This involves meeting population and geographic criteria, petitions, and county or state approval. Cities can levy taxes and operate water and sewer systems—powers unavailable to unincorporated areas like Sand Branch.
• County Government Role: Dallas County manages unincorporated areas but provides limited services, including road maintenance, law enforcement, and health services. Counties cannot directly provide full municipal utilities.
• Community Role: Residents may vote to incorporate or form special districts, such as utility or water improvement districts, to provide services without full city status. Local organization and advocacy are essential.

Without incorporation or a special utility district, Sand Branch cannot automatically access municipal water and sewer infrastructure. Legal and organizational steps, along with continued funding, are required before construction can begin. Residents, local leaders, and elected officials remain engaged, but a completed water delivery system is still years away.

Community Water Distribution Efforts

Since 2020, community groups and nonprofits have organized ongoing water delivery to support Sand Branch residents:

• Church of the Ascension began quarterly bottled water deliveries in 2020, providing nearly 1,250 cases over two years with volunteer support.
• Weekly water distribution is coordinated by groups including C’s Corner Store and Thrift, Juggernaut Relief Inc., and the Water for Sand Branch Coalition, often delivering directly to homes.
• Religious organizations and county officials have collaborated; for example, the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church provided 5-gallon modular water tanks and refill assistance to roughly 50 households through a Dallas County partnership.

While these initiatives do not replace a permanent public water system, they provide critical interim access to safe water. For more information on broader advocacy and infrastructure planning, visit the Water for Sand Branch Coalition information page.