#49 - The Coming Water Crisis | Andrew Weber

In this episode of The Clear Voice, we sit down with Andrew Weber, a Texas attorney and public policy leader focused on groundwater, water governance, and aquifer sustainability. Andrew is a partner at Kelly Hart and Hallman, where he leads the Austin office and chairs the firm’s Public Law practice, working at the intersection of law, policy, and government relations before the Texas Legislature and state agencies. He currently serves as President and Executive Director of the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association and President of Friends of Wimberley Parks, where his work centers on groundwater protection and regional water stewardship. Earlier in his career, Andrew served on the staff of the Texas Supreme Court and later as First Assistant Attorney General of Texas, giving him experience at the highest levels of state government before transitioning into nonprofit advocacy and water policy. In this conversation, we break down how groundwater conservation districts work, why Desired Future Conditions matter, and the growing challenges around data, modeling, and determining how much water is truly available. We also explore “white zones” where no groundwater districts exist, creating gaps in regulation and long-term planning. Andrew shares insight into ongoing litigation involving Aqua Texas, the role of private utilities, and the broader tension between development, property rights, and resource sustainability. The discussion also covers recent legislative activity, funding efforts, and what may be coming next for water policy in Texas and beyond. The episode closes with practical advice for city leaders, emphasizing the importance of requiring sustainable water sourcing before approving development and the growing need for informed, science-based decision making at the local level. Learn more: Andrew Weber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-weber-61223217 Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association: https://tespatexas.org/about/ Friends of Wimberley Parks: https://friendsofwimberleyparks.org/ Training resource mentioned in the episode: Hill Country Alliance Leadership and Environmental Training Program: https://hillcountryalliance.org/ The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro