Finding the ow From the cover
The big picture
Ongoing surface water distribution projects in Cypress, Cy-Fair
Distribution pipes Water receiving facilities
Project 31 series • Connects 15 additional facilities to surface water • 18 miles of distribution pipes • Project closeout by 2027 Project 35 series • Connects 10 additional facilities to surface water • 8 miles of distribution pipes • Project closeout in 2026 Project 37 series • Connects 22 additional facilities to surface water • 40 miles of distribution pipes • Project closeout in 2028
The North Harris County Regional Water Authority has approximately $406 million worth of construction projects planned for 2026—with several in the Cypress and Cy-Fair areas—as part of its decades-long e ort to keep up with a state- mandated groundwater reduction plan. The NHCRWA is responsible for carrying out surface water conversion projects across northwest Harris County as mandated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, or HGSD. The HGSD’s regulatory plan aims to reduce groundwater pumping to combat subsidence, or land sinking, by requiring entities to gradually increase their surface water supplies. Entities within HGSD’s jurisdiction were supposed to have at least 60% of their water supplies sourced from surface water, such as Lake Houston and the Brazos River, by the end of 2025. However, the NHCRWA has only achieved about 35% conversion to surface water, ocials said, citing challenges related to COVID-19, supply shortages and easement delays. Program Manager Amber Batson said the 60% benchmark is a roughly $2 billion initiative that likely won’t be completed before 2031. Additionally, NHCRWA District 3 Director Melissa Rowell said the total conversion requirement, 80% by 2035, could cost nearly $10 billion. “The surface water conversion is happening,” said Rowell, who represents parts of Cy-Fair and Jersey Village on the ¢ve-member board. “The real policy question is whether the ¢nancing structure is fair to existing homeowners.”
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Cypress
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“We need to make sure existing homeowners are not being asked to bankroll infrastructure that will primarily serve future growth.” MELISSA ROWELL, NHCRWA DISTRICT 3 DIRECTOR
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NOTE: LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE
SOURCE: NORTH HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY§COMMUNITY IMPACT
The projects send surface water to local water plants.
Construction crews work at a launch shaft in Cy-Fair.
PHOTOS BY DANIEL ARIZPE§COMMUNITY IMPACT
“We have continued to impress upon them the tools within the regulatory plan if they’re having a delay or an issue with the timeline,” Turco said. The HGSD oers two options to avoid a dis- incentive fee of $12.52 per thousand gallons for failing to meet the required conversion timeline. Water authorities can earn Over Conversion Credits by using less groundwater than what’s mandated in the regulatory plan, Turco said. The NHCRWA has accumulated OCCs over time but could deplete its balance within the next one to three years, ocials from the authority said. Secondly, Turco said authorities can earn credits by sponsoring the HGSD’s Water Conservation Program, such as purchasing education kits for schools. The NHCRWA is the only local authority that does not participate in the education credit opportunity, he said. Rowell said the conservation credits are not enough to address a ve-year construction lag.
Diving in deeper
NHCRWA forecasted water rates
According to NHCRWA ocials, residents could see signicantly higher water bills over the next 10 years as the authority continues conversion projects. Groundwater (per thousand gallons) Surface water (per thousand gallons)
As a non-taxing entity, the NHCRWA collects revenue through water fees typically billed through municipal utility districts. Despite the growing debt projection, the NHCRWA board has reduced water rates three times since 2022. However, Rowell said rates must inevitably increase to pay o the debt—possibly tripling within the next 10 years. She expressed frustration with the fact that local authorities are responsible for nancing the conversion, which ultimately trickles down to water customers. Rowell voted in favor of the three rate cuts. HGSD General Manager Mike Turco said the state established the district to mitigate subsid- ence through groundwater regulation, and HGSD is prohibited from buying or selling water. Water authorities were then created to carry out related infrastructure projects.
$0 $3
$6 $9 $12 $15
$2.60
*2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035
$3.05
$12.00
$12.40
*APPROVED JAN. 5
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