The Water Lobby

In Episode 11 of the Water Lobby podcast, we talk with Matt Paneitz, a former Austinite and founder of the nonprofit Long Way Home, who has spent the last two decades in Guatemala pioneering a revolutionary approach to infrastructure, education, and community-building.
What starts as a conversation about building with trash (yes, trash) quickly evolves into a powerful blueprint for solving systemic poverty, not just with sustainable materials, but with a new model for education.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation.
1. Solving Two Problems at Once
When Matt first moved to Guatemala in 2002 as a Peace Corps volunteer, he was struck by two major problems:
* A Waste Crisis: With no formal trash removal system, waste was either burned, buried, or thrown into ravines.
* An Infrastructure Need: A significant portion of the population lived in poverty, lacking basic infrastructure like safe housing, clinics, and schools.
In 2004, he founded Long Way Home to tackle both problems at once. The big idea: What if you could use the community’s waste as a building material to create the infrastructure it desperately needed?
2. Why Build with Tires?
Our host asked the obvious question: Why not use conventional materials like bricks or wood?
Matt explained that in Guatemala, conventional materials aren’t just expensive; they’re often not the best tool for the job. Cinder blocks, for example, don’t insulate well and perform poorly in earthquakes.
This led them to an unconventional solution: used car tires.
“If you lay a tire flat, you fill it with dirt, you hit it with a sledgehammer, you basically are creating an c that is surrounded by rubber... it’s never going to decompose.”
The benefits are massive:
* Earthquake-Resistant: Unlike rigid structures tied to a footer, these tire walls sit above ground and “move along with the earthquake rather than resisting the earthquake.” This is critical in a region that remembers the devastating 1976 earthquake.
* Thermal Insulation: The thick, earth-packed walls create a “cave-like” effect, maintaining a constant, comfortable temperature year-round without heating or A/C.
* Job Creation: The model is labor-intensive by design. It replaces the high cost of materials (like cement) with paid jobs for local community members.
* Waste Reduction: It removes thousands of tires from local ravines and rivers.
And for those wondering what it looks like? The “trash” is completely hidden. “When you tell anybody locally... ‘we’re going to build a building out of tires,’ they look at you like you’re crazy,” Matt admits. “But... we plaster them with lime plaster... When they see it, they say it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
3. The Real Mission: Education as a Laboratory
The innovative construction earned Long Way Home recognition from UNESCO, but the buildings themselves aren’t the final product. The true mission is education.
Long Way Home runs a primary, middle, and high school where the community itself becomes the laboratory.
“Instead of doing somewhat abstract math... the students in our seventh grade could apply their math to build ventilated stoves... The same thing happens in social studies class. Rather than... doing some abstract survey... they go from house to house and figure out what the local living conditions are like.”
This hands-on approach gives students a direct role in the sustainable development of their own community. They build water tanks, compost latrines, retaining walls, and clinics, all while fulfilling their national curriculum requirements. The result is a generation of graduates who enter university or the workforce—as nurses, lawyers, engineers, or architects—with a deep, practical understanding of sustainable design and community-led problem-solving.
4. The Next 20 Years: A Plan to Scale
After 20 years of proving the concept, Matt says Long Way Home is now entering its scaling phase. But they’re not planning to build more schools themselves.
Their new goal is to give their model away.
They are finalizing a complete set of lesson plans that integrate this hands-on, community-building approach directly into the public school curriculum.
“We’re going to put our education model in the hands of public schools and say, ‘Let’s solve extreme poverty... and let’s also improve the quality of education.’... What politician’s gonna go, ‘You know what? I think that I’m not gonna put that on my ballot.’? ... This is not progressive, it’s not conservative. It is human dignity.”
By providing these lesson plans to public school teachers—who are often under-resourced and lacking materials—Long Way Home has created a “win-win-win” situation that can scale rapidly without a massive budget.
5. A Challenge to Us All
This is more than just a feel-good story from Central America; it’s a proven, scalable model that challenges how we think about solving our own problems, from homelessness in Austin to infrastructure needs across the U.S.
As Matt put it in his closing remarks, this is a headline in the making.
“To your listeners, donate. And then as soon as you donate, then keep your eyes peeled for the New York Times headlines where it says, ‘Guatemala school ends poverty. The first time it’s happened in the world and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders were responsible for it.’... We’re going to do it.”
If you’re inspired by Matt’s vision, you can get involved. To see incredible photos of the sustainable buildings, school, and community, visit lwhome.org/media. For more detailed information on their green building techniques and educational curriculum, check out lwhomegreen.org.
And to help their team make that future New York Times headline a reality, please consider making a donation to support their work in ending poverty through education and sustainable design.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waterlobby.substack.com

A conversation between Sanjay and Eduardo on the complex water challenges facing Texas, from the parched reservoirs of the coast to the hidden drought beneath Austin’s feet.
As the Texas summer heat finally gives way to the crisp promise of autumn, the conversation naturally turns to change. For us, it’s a time of professional growth—shifting from water resources modeling to the hands-on, under-the-bridge perspective of structural inspections. It’s this change in perspective that frames our latest discussion on a topic that affects every Texan: water.
While we celebrate the milder weather, two starkly different water crises are unfolding in our state, revealing that the challenges we face are far more complex than just waiting for the next rainstorm.
The Crisis in Mathis: When the Lake Runs Dry
Our focus first turned to Mathis, Texas, a small town of about 4,000 people near Lake Corpus Christi. The situation is dire. The lake, which supplies water to the region, is only 15% full. As a result, Mathis is on the verge of running out of water.
This is a heartbreaking and deeply concerning scenario. How can a town so close to a major reservoir face such a threat? The problem is a tangled web of infrastructure, industry, and water rights. The City of Corpus Christi manages the lake and likely holds priority water rights, while local industries and farms also draw heavily from the dwindling supply.
This isn’t just a resource problem; it’s an infrastructure and equity problem. As Eduardo noted, smaller communities are often at the mercy of larger entities. The immediate solutions are clear but difficult: impose water restrictions, secure emergency funding from the Texas Water Development Board, and create a rapid response plan. The town is planning to drill new wells, but this is a reactive measure to a crisis that has been building for years.
The Paradox in Austin: Full Lakes, Empty Aquifers
In stark contrast, here in Austin, the recent rains have left Lake Travis 85% full. Flooding was a concern just a few months ago. Yet, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Authority has just declared an “exceptional drought” and is calling for water usage reductions of up to 100% for some permit holders starting October 1st.
How can this be? It’s a critical lesson in hydrology: surface water and groundwater are not the same thing. While our lakes are brimming, the groundwater that so many in the Hill Country depend on is at a 30-year low.
This disconnect highlights a systemic failure. We are great at managing the water we can see but have neglected the invisible, vital resource beneath our feet. Austin is exploring a $1.5 billion Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project to inject water into the ground for later use. It’s a step in the right direction, but it feels like a belated solution to a problem that required proactive planning years ago.
Desalination: The Billion-Dollar Boogeyman or Our Best Hope?
When a region is flanked by the Gulf of America, the conversation inevitably turns to desalination. With the cost of solar energy plummeting, the biggest historical barrier to desalination—exorbitant energy costs—is rapidly disappearing. So why aren’t we building more desal plants?
The answer is a combination of political pushback and public perception. Critics often point to the high price tag, citing projects that cost half a billion dollars for what seems like a small return. But in an economy where individuals have net worths in the hundreds of billions, is a billion-dollar investment to secure water for thousands of people truly too much?
Furthermore, we’re overlooking a key innovation: the “waste” from desalination, a salty brine, is actually a valuable asset. Private companies are already figuring out how to profitably extract lithium and other critical minerals from this brine. Why aren’t our public utilities being empowered to do the same, turning an expense into a revenue stream? The bottleneck isn’t technology; it’s the political will to make bold, necessary investments.
It’s Not You, It’s the System
Ultimately, both crises point to a flawed narrative. For decades, the burden of conservation has been placed on individuals. We’re told to take shorter showers and let our lawns go brown, while systemic issues go unaddressed.
* Leaky Pipes: Many municipal systems lose up to 50% of their water to leaks before it ever reaches a tap.
* “Use It or Lose It” Policies: Archaic water rights laws force agricultural users to pump their full allocation of water, even if they don’t need it, just to avoid losing that right in the future.
* Misaligned Priorities: We debate a billion-dollar water project while approving multi-billion dollar expenditures elsewhere without question. We have the talent and resources to solve these problems; we just haven’t made it a national priority.
Water should be a unifying issue. Conservatives and liberals alike value conservation, stewardship, and sustainability. Voters consistently approve water infrastructure bonds when they appear on the ballot. The breakdown isn’t with the people; it’s in the halls of power where the urgency of our water future has yet to truly sink in. This is a people problem not because people are the cause, but because people are the solution. We must find the leadership—and demand the accountability—to secure our most precious resource.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waterlobby.substack.com

This past month has been a difficult one for Central Texas, especially for those in Travis and Kerr Counties. As residents grieve and begin to rebuild after devastating floods, a different kind of storm is brewing: the ongoing conflict over water rights. While our community comes together to help one another, the political and corporate battles for Texas's most precious resource continue behind the scenes.
The Great Texas Water Grab: Who's Behind the Curtain?
As the Texas population explodes, so does the demand for water. People in San Antonio don't want Austin taking their water, and Austin residents get nervous when they see growth in Round Rock that depends on Lake Travis. But a recent story out of East Texas highlights a new chapter in these water wars.
Two companies, Pine Bliss and Redtown Ranch (LLCs whose ownership is opaque), are seeking to install 40 high-capacity wells across Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties. Their request? To withdraw an astonishing 15-16 billion gallons of water per year from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. This is a staggering amount that raises concerns about the sustainability of our groundwater, especially when taxpayers are burdened with the cost of refilling aquifers through methods like Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR).
This alarming situation is further complicated by a potential conflict of interest. Individuals involved in managing the local Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) are reportedly the same people who are benefiting from these large-scale water licenses. It's a painful reality that brings to mind the documentary "Kern Water Bank," which exposed backroom deals that essentially privatized California's underground water. While East Texas residents have come together to protest this, the battle is far from over.
LNRA Dam Project and the Fight for the Rivers
The corporate push for water isn't limited to groundwater. The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) is planning a major dam project on the Lavaca River. This dam would divert an estimated 30 billion gallons of water per year, an undertaking with significant environmental consequences. Dam construction is notoriously complex, with concerns ranging from the destruction of river ecology to the death of fish populations that rely on natural upstream migration. While there are engineering solutions like fish ladders, agencies often have to cut corners to stay on budget and timeline. The LNRA project is facing public scrutiny, particularly as it may not require a federal environmental impact analysis, potentially fast-tracking a project that could permanently alter the river's ecosystem.
Flooding and Fees: Disaster as a Tax Opportunity?
As if a natural disaster wasn't enough, some counties are leveraging their disaster declaration powers to raise taxes. In both Kerr and Travis counties, officials are considering tax increases of up to 22%, a significant jump from the typical 5-10% limit. While these funds are meant for emergency services and infrastructure repairs, the timing feels like a betrayal to many. People who have lost homes and jobs are now facing a heavier financial burden.
This happens while community members and local companies like H-E-B are donating millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to the recovery effort. The contradiction is clear: Why is the burden being placed on the community's most vulnerable when non-profits are receiving millions, and corporations are being granted massive water rights? This is a moment where leaders should be offering tax relief, not tax increases.
The Future of Water Management: A Political, Not Technical, Problem
These issues point to a larger problem in how Texas manages its water. It's not a lack of engineering solutions; we have the technology to build fish ladders on dams and monitor river levels. The problem is one of political will and leadership.
The current system is a complex web of agencies—Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs), Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs), the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)—all with overlapping responsibilities. It is a system that allows for conflict of interest and backroom deals. The recent floods and ongoing water debates demand a new approach. We must move beyond "me versus them" and focus on our shared responsibility to protect and manage our water resources for the long term. This means supporting leaders who prioritize resilient infrastructure, fair resource distribution, and proactive conservation over short-sighted gains.
What are your thoughts on this? Should corporations be allowed to take such large amounts of water? Is it right for counties to raise taxes on residents after a disaster? Share your opinions in the comments below.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waterlobby.substack.com

Hello, Water Lobby listeners! In this information-heavy Episode 8, Eduardo and Sanjay dive deep into critical conversations surrounding floodplain management, emergency preparedness, and the recent Kerr County flooding event. With July 13th marking a somber reminder of past tragedies, this episode tackles the complex interplay of natural phenomena, engineering decisions, and community response.
The Kerr County Tragedy: A Call for Accountability in Floodplain Delineation 🗺️
The recent journalistic uncovering of buildings removed from the Cypress Creek floodplain in Kerr County, Texas, a decade ago (around 2011-2013), has ignited a crucial discussion about responsibility and communication of flood risk. Sanjay, a professional in floodplain services, highlights how such events often lead to "finger-pointing" among state, local, and national agencies.
He emphasizes that while it's challenging to keep up with all risks, the science behind predicting major weather events like El Niño years is well-established. These cycles, occurring every two to seven years, lead to heavy rainfall and amplified hurricanes. As Sanjay notes, "You cannot just say that, hey, we didn't know that it was coming. I think that's not an acceptable answer."
The discussion zeroes in on the Camp Mystic site, located on a meandering river, and the complexities of FEMA flood studies. These studies often don't fully account for dynamic river behavior, dam storage changes due to sediment buildup, or the meandering nature of rivers over time. City programs like Austin's "erosion zone" initiative are attempting to address these nuances by requiring engineers to analyze river meandering for development.
Eduardo and Sanjay both stress the importance of engineers stepping up and taking accountability. As Sanjay puts it, "This is one of the times where us as engineers, we have to come step up and take accountability." He recalls the origin of the professional engineering license in Texas, born from a school fire tragedy, underscoring the profound responsibility engineers hold in ensuring public safety.
Water as a Resource: Drought Recovery and Rising Rates 💧
Amidst the discussion of flood tragedies, Eduardo shifts the conversation to the brighter side: water as a vital resource. Following significant rainfall, Texas lakes have seen a notable increase in water levels. Dr. Mace's data, shared by Sanjay, indicates:
* Lake Buchanan: 85.5% full and rising.
* Lake Travis: 70% full.
* Canyon Lake: 64% full.
* Medina Lake: More than doubled its storage, now at 5.2% full (compared to 2.3% a month ago).
While this provides a much-needed recovery from the severe drought Central Texas has experienced, the conversation quickly turns to the perplexing issue of rising water rates. Private water companies like County Line Water and Aqua Texas have reportedly doubled their rates, with some customers seeing bills of $600 for a single month's water usage.
This drastic increase raises questions about the transparency and regulation of the water industry. Sanjay expresses his suspicion, arguing that doubling rates within a year "shouldn't be allowed." This leads to a deeper philosophical discussion about water as a basic human right versus a commodity, and the potential for "non-profit industrial complex" to absorb disaster funding.
Community Resilience and the Power of Local Leadership 💪
Despite the challenges, the spirit of Texas communities shines through. Sanjay highlights the heartwarming and rapid community response to the Kerr County flooding, with local businesses and individuals rallying to provide support. He praises initiatives like P. Terry's Burger Stand raising millions for flood relief and HEB deploying disaster relief trucks within hours of the event.
The conversation ultimately underscores the importance of local engagement. Eduardo and Sanjay encourage listeners to prioritize involvement in local mayoral races and connect with their city council members. As Eduardo aptly states, "People love the president role... but they live in New York. They have their own family problems over there. They don't even have drainage systems like we do over here. They don't know how flooding works. It's New York. We're in Texas. We're better."
They extend an open invitation to those in positions of power – judges, council members, and decision-makers in water management – to join the Water Lobby podcast and foster crucial dialogue. The episode concludes with a fascinating anecdote about the superior drainage infrastructure in Bogota, Colombia, and the idea of a "water blog" to document and share insights on global water management solutions.
What are your thoughts on flood risk, accountability, and the rising cost of water? Share your comments below!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waterlobby.substack.com

Welcome to the seventh episode of the Water Lobby podcast. This week, we're tackling the big money flowing into Texas water infrastructure, the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, and what it all means for your monthly water bill.
A Drop in the Bucket: The Texas Water Fund's $2.5 Billion Renewal
The Texas Water Fund has been renewed, growing from an initial $1 billion to $2.5 billion for this year, with an additional $1 billion slated for each following year. This funding, sourced from sales tax, is a significant investment, with a 50/50 split between developing new water sources and repairing existing, aging infrastructure.
But as we discussed, is this enough? The state identified an $80 billion need for water infrastructure projects. While $2.5 billion is a start, it feels like a drop in the bucket.
A critical point of contention is the funding mechanism itself: sales tax. Is this the most equitable and sustainable way to fund long-term infrastructure needs? As our infrastructure continues to age, the financial burden will shift from new construction to ongoing operations and maintenance.
This is where the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) steps in, acting as the construction manager for these funds. They'll be reviewing applications from cities across the state, determining project scopes, and allocating resources. However, the planning cycles for water and flood management have historically missed crucial factors like the skyrocketing water demands of data centers and the recent population boom in Texas, not to mention the unforeseen impact of the AI revolution.
The Human Element in a World of Contracts and Scope Creep
In our experience with construction and design, project budgets are often plagued by "scope creep." You begin with a defined scope of services, but unforeseen issues inevitably arise. You start an excavation and discover that the ground itself needs repair. This is where the rigidity of contracts can clash with the reality of the work.
Strong project management is essential to navigate these challenges. We need a system that allows for a phased approach, allocating funds to projects and rewarding those that demonstrate success. It’s not just about the money; it's about building trust and fostering strong relationships between contractors and owners to navigate the unexpected.
This raises a crucial question: Do our listeners know how to get involved and track how these funds are being used in their own cities? The journey of a water project, from legislative funding to water flowing from your tap, is a long and complex one, often spanning 10 to 20 years.
Can AI Save Us from Our Aging Infrastructure?
While the Texas Water Fund may not be the silver bullet, we're optimistic about the role of human ingenuity and technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
Historically, solving a minor problem in a water system required bringing in a subject matter expert. Today, AI-powered chatbots can provide instant access to a vast repository of knowledge. A city manager or a water superintendent can now ask complex questions and receive immediate, actionable strategies. This democratization of information could be a game-changer, especially for smaller communities.
Consider a small city with a population of a few hundred and a staff of just four people. The intricate process of applying for and managing grants from the Texas Water Fund might be overwhelming. For these communities, the ability to leverage AI to make faster, more informed decisions could be transformative. It levels the playing field, giving them access to the same analytical power as a metropolis with a multi-billion dollar budget.
We're already seeing large cities procuring AI-based software for tasks like email writing. While some of these expenditures may seem wasteful, especially when powerful AI tools are available for free, it highlights the broader trend of integrating AI into governance.
This leads to a fascinating and perhaps controversial idea: could a city have its own legal AI? A company called Crosby Legal is already exploring this, offering AI-driven legal services with a "human in the loop" to ensure oversight. Imagine a future where AI agents, representing cities and corporations, can negotiate and execute contracts, streamlining a process that is often fraught with delays and disputes.
The Double-Edged Sword of Technological Advancement
Of course, the rise of AI is not without its challenges. There are valid concerns about over-reliance on technology and the potential for dehumanization. As a designer, the idea of using AI to manage a large volume of clients feels impersonal. The most meaningful professional relationships are built on genuine, human connection.
However, the potential for AI to enhance productivity in the construction industry is undeniable. We could soon see major infrastructure projects, like the I-35 expansion, completed on budget and on schedule—a prospect that currently seems almost fantastical. This efficiency gain stems from empowering the younger generation of engineers. Armed with AI, a recent graduate can now ask the "stupid questions" they might have been hesitant to pose to a senior colleague, fostering a more rapid and effective learning process.
The broader societal implications are also profound. Historically, technological shifts have led to job displacement. From the sewing machine to the computer, each wave of innovation has rendered certain skills obsolete. This time, however, feels different. The increasing abundance in our world, coupled with the time freed up by AI-driven productivity, could allow people to pursue more purpose-driven lives. We're already seeing a shift away from traditional career paths towards creative and fulfilling pursuits like farming, podcasting, and art.
This technological leap is also reshaping geopolitics. The race for AI dominance has been framed as the new nuclear arms race. The United States is exporting the idea that if you don't invest in AI, you will be left behind. This has created a massive market for data centers and specialized hardware, with significant geopolitical implications.
The Looming Crisis: Unaffordable Water Bills
As we look to the future, a more immediate concern is the rising cost of water. In our communities, we're seeing water utility rates skyrocket, in some cases by 100%. Investor-owned utilities are leading this charge, and we fear that public utilities will soon follow suit, citing the new market standard.
This trend is not unique to Texas. In London, the high rates charged by the investor-owned Thames Water have led to people losing their water connections. This is the dark side of treating a fundamental human right as a commodity.
Furthermore, the rollout of smart water meters is raising questions. Some residents are reporting water usage figures of 30,000 gallons a month—a staggering amount that suggests potential inaccuracies in the new technology. These are not conspiracy theories; they are real concerns backed by screenshots of exorbitant water bills.
We are at a critical juncture. The decisions we make today about how we fund our infrastructure, embrace new technologies, and regulate our utilities will have a lasting impact on the affordability and accessibility of water for generations to come.
Join us for our next episode as we take a deeper dive into the rising water utility rates in Central Texas and explore what you can do to protest and protect your access to this essential resource.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waterlobby.substack.com