WATER FOR SAND BRANCH COALITION · DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS
Clean water.
Safe homes.
A future in Sand Branch.
Help a historic freedmen’s community secure the essential services every neighborhood deserves. We work alongside residents on immediate relief, safer homes, and a lasting water and sewer solution.
RELIEF TODAY. PERMANENT SERVICE TOMORROW.
A basic need. A shared responsibility.
Sand Branch is an unincorporated community in southern Dallas County. Residents continue to live without municipal water and sewer service. Bottled water and volunteer support help families get through the week; lasting infrastructure is the goal.
Water access
Coordinate water donations and household support while pursuing permanent service.
Safer homes
Organize cleanup, repair support, and practical help identified by residents.
Residents first
Pursue affordability, property protection, and a future shaped with the people who live here.
THE APPROACH
Build the system. Protect the community.
Our mission is to bring water, sewer, and trash collection services to Sand Branch. Achieving that takes technical planning, public approvals, reliable funding, and long-term operations—not construction alone.
01 · Immediate relief
Water delivery, cleanup, and repairs address needs now. Household water-system pilots require appropriate testing and technical verification before expansion.
02 · Permanent infrastructure
Advance water and sewer planning, engineering, environmental review, provider coordination, and the approvals needed before construction.
03 · Affordability & stability
Develop resident assistance and property-protection approaches so essential services support legacy residents and reduce displacement pressures.
Understand the scale of the work
A planning framework reported by Dallas Weekly in February 2025 estimated $12.5 million: $8 million for infrastructure and $4.5 million for resident assistance. These are published planning estimates, not current construction bids, funds raised, or an approved construction budget.
Read the reporting behind the planning framework →
Infrastructure schedules, service arrangements, assistance eligibility, and final costs depend on funding, technical review, and public approvals. Contact us to discuss the latest scope before making a restricted or major gift.
FROM THE GROUND · OCTOBER 2026
The work continues between headlines.
October 10 · Community service
The coalition’s October meeting recap reports a community service day with cleanup and roof-tarp support, including participation by the Dallas Wings.
Water & household support
Water donations, roof-repair materials, hygiene supplies, and seasonal essentials remain priorities. Coordinate deliveries with the coalition so help matches current needs.
Clean Water Bridge
The coalition is advancing household water-system pilot work. Treatment selection and expansion depend on water testing and technical verification.
Upcoming ways to help
November 7: Day of Service · November 14: bulk-trash cleanup · November 26: Thanksgiving gathering.
Dates are from the coalition’s October meeting notes. Confirm times, assignments, delivery needs, and volunteer safety requirements before arriving. Register to volunteer or contact the coalition.
INDEPENDENT REPORTING
Read the story. See why it matters.
Explore reporting about Sand Branch, its residents, and the effort to secure essential services. Coverage is linked to the original publishers.
TEXAS STANDARD · SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
A town 14 miles from Dallas has no clean drinking water. She’s trying to fill the gap
Resident-led care and the continuing need for basic services.
Read the story →
KERA NEWS · SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
After a major fire, Sand Branch activists seek permanent water infrastructure for the community
Coverage of the call for permanent infrastructure after the August fire.
Read the story →
FOX 4 · SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Unincorporated Dallas County community seeks access to running water after grass fire
Reporting on fire-response challenges and the coalition’s infrastructure proposal.
Read the story →
D MAGAZINE · SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
After the fire, the Mavericks are bringing water to Sand Branch
A look at water distribution and ongoing support for the community.
Read the story →
DALLAS WEEKLY · FEBRUARY 2025
The Sand Branch Solution: One Developer’s Mission for Water and Justice
The coalition’s approach to infrastructure and resident protection.
Read the story →
NBC 5 · APRIL 28, 2023
New Effort to Get Running Water in Former Dallas Freeman’s Town of Sand Branch
Earlier coverage of renewed efforts to bring running water to Sand Branch.
Read the story →
Archive: The Continuing Fight for Water in Sandbranch · Dallas Weekly, October 2023 →
FOR FOUNDATIONS, COMPANIES & MAJOR DONORS
Help fund the next chapter.
A significant gift deserves a specific plan. Talk with us about the work you want to support, the receiving organization, the budget, milestones, and reporting before funds are transferred.
Community support
Discuss support for water access, cleanup, home-repair materials, and resident priorities.
Project partnership
Discuss funding a defined phase with a written scope, budget, and appropriate technical review.
Transformational giving
Explore a six- or seven-figure commitment through a tailored funding agreement and confirmed receiving arrangements.
Ask about the latest project budget, organizational and fiscal-sponsor documentation, permitted uses, and reporting arrangements. Recognition, timelines, and gift restrictions are discussed individually.
GIVE WHAT YOU CAN. HELP MOVE THE WORK FORWARD.
Support Water for Sand Branch.
Make a one-time gift or choose recurring support using the coalition’s existing donation form below. For grants, large gifts, matching gifts, or a specific project restriction, contact us first.
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Giving & charitable receipts
The coalition’s October 2026 update states that its own 501(c)(3) application is in progress and a fiscal sponsor is in place. Before making a gift that requires a charitable tax receipt, contact us to confirm the receiving organization and receipt arrangements. This page does not represent every payment through this form as tax-deductible.
FROM SAND BRANCH · NEW TIKTOK VIDEOS DAILY
A new video. Every day. A community that deserves to be seen.
Derek Avery posts a new TikTok video every day, documenting the ongoing work and daily realities in Sand Branch. Follow @waterforsandbranch for the newest update, then share the story with someone who can help.
The TikTok link opens the profile, where new videos appear as they are posted. Instagram links to Derek’s account; Facebook links to the Water for Sand Branch Coalition page.
A conversation about lasting solutions
Watch the Together for Water discussion featured by the coalition.
Want to help with water delivery, cleanup, outreach, or donated materials? Join the volunteer list →
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE COALITION
Meet the co-founders.
Derek Avery
Co-founder & President
Thea Walker
Co-founder
WATER FOR SAND BRANCH COALITION
Help turn commitment into lasting change.
Support immediate needs. Advance permanent infrastructure. Protect the people who call Sand Branch home.
Derek Avery · Co-founder & President
Thea Walker · Co-founder
info@waterforsandbranch.org
Project update prepared October 16, 2026.
