Net Positive Water Validation Program

The San Gabriel River near Taylor, Texas. Credit: Adobe Stock

Project Summary

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is partnering with Samsung Austin Semiconductor in its effort to achieve a “Net Positive Water Impact” at its Texas facilities in Taylor and Austin by vetting potential conservation projects that benefit the watersheds and springsheds of the region. 

Samsung Austin Semiconductor is focused on robust global environmental commitments and providing investments in conservation projects to improve the health of local watersheds (including the Colorado River Basin, the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, the Brazos River, and other nearby watersheds).

Through the establishment of a Net Positive Water Validation Program, the Meadows Center will leverage Texas State University's expertise and its deep knowledge of Texas’ water systems, availability challenges, and conservation dynamics to strengthen the science of water benefit accounting and independently measure the positive impact of Samsung’s investments. This collaboration will create a robust, accountable framework to validate the water benefits of conservation projects and drive innovation in sustainable water management. 

Water Benefit Accounting is a science-based approach that quantifies the tangible, positive impacts of conservation, reuse, and restoration projects on a watershed or region. It moves beyond traditional metrics to capture a more complete picture of the measurable benefits these efforts deliver for water availability and quality. This third-party, evidence-based approach to validating conservation investments will help ensure that Samsung’s investments deliver on its Net Positive Water Impact goals and encourage creative collaboration between industry, academia, and NGOs to improve water stewardship.

Do you have an idea for a conservation project that could benefit the health of local watersheds?

The partnership offers opportunities for funding water restoration projects in the Colorado River Basin, the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, the Brazos River, or other local watersheds, though projects across Texas will also be considered. As a neutral third-party, the Meadows Center is available to advise entities on how to have their projects considered for funding by Samsung.