Texas Water Bank

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) administers the Texas Water Bank, which was established in 1993 to facilitate the transfer, sale, or lease of water and water rights throughout the state. A depositor holding a surface water right will enjoy protection from cancellation as specified in TAC Chapter §359.8 (a) of the Water Bank Rules.

For more information, see the TWDB program information sheet on the Texas Water Bank.

Water Bank Deposits for Sale or Lease

Current Water Bank Deposits

If interested in depositing a water right for sale or lease, listed below are the associated Water Bank Forms:

Water Bank Registry

As another option, instead of depositing in the Water Bank, you may consider simply posting your water right, at no cost, on the appropriate 'Registry' which can be viewed at our website. A water right listed in the registry does not have protection from cancellation under the Water Bank Rules.

Additional Resources

For more information see A Texan's Guide to Water and Water Marketing for background information on:

  • The History of Water Rights in Texas
  • Types of Surface Water Rights
  • Various Forms of Water and Water Right Transfers
  • Factors to Consider in the Sale or Purchase of Water and Water Rights
  • Factors that Influence the Price or Marketability of Water and Water Rights
  • The Texas Water Bank and Texas Water Trust

For additional information on surface water availability, water rights and permitting see the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) web page on Surface Water Availability Modeling (WAM) related to Surface Water Rights and Permitting.

Links and Contacts