Cypress Edition | April 2026

BY SARAH BRAGER

Why it matters

More details

Measured subsidence in Cypress, 20202024

A majority of the NHCRWA’s capital projects are funded by the State Water Imple- mentation Fund for Texas, or SWIFT bonds, which provides nancing for projects in the state water plan. About $396 million SWIFT dollars were allocated to NHCRWA projects for 2026, according to a ve-year capital improvement plan approved Feb. 2. The NHCRWA spent approximately $500 million to hit 30% conversion, which the authority achieved by 2010 as required by the HGSD, per the CIP. The authority will need to submit another application for SWIFT funds in 2027, the plan shows. Total water demand met by groundwater 2010: No more than 2025: No more than 2035: No more than

Turco said subsidence is “slower than other natural disasters,” which is why it isn’t always a top- of-mind concern when thinking about water supply. He said because the region is generally at, a small amount of elevation change could increase ood risks, even in non-coastal regions like northwest Harris County. “Once it occurs, it’s irreversible,” Turco said. “That’s why we have to get in front of it, and we have to prevent it as we’re moving along.” The HGSD board has approved approximately 34,000 groundwater well permits over the last ve years, but only about 2% of those were new wells, he said. All permits in the district’s jurisdiction must be renewed annually. To track sinking, the HGSD established a subsid- ence monitoring network of GPS stations that can measure land surface deformation. Additionally, Turco said the district recently implemented satellite technology called InSAR that can measure millimeter-scale elevation changes. hearing virtually on the district’s website. Public testimony must be given in person or emailed to info@subsidence.org before May 8. Residents can also hear local project updates at NHCRWA board meetings, held the rst Monday of the month at 3648 Cypress Creek Parkway, Ste. 110, Houston. “We have tools within the regulatory plan to be able to deal with these short-term timeline issues, and we look forward to working with everybody that needs to discuss those things,” Turco said.

Cypress

SPRING CYPRESS RD.

99 TOLL

290

BARKER CYPRESS RD.

1 AULT monitoring station • Total vertical displacement: -10.8 cm • Subsidence rate (cm/year): 1.58 2 P066 monitoring station • Total vertical displacement: -20.7 cm • Subsidence rate (cm/year): 1.35 3 P018 monitoring station • Total vertical displacement: -39 cm • Subsidence rate (cm/year): 1.17

70%

40%

20%

SOURCE: HARRISGALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next?

Friendswood

The HGSD will hold a public hearing April 30 in Friendswood to present the 2025 Annual Groundwater Report, which includes updated information about measured subsidence, groundwater use, groundwater levels and climatic conditions in its regulatory areas. Community members can review past groundwater reports and register to watch the

HGSD 2025 Groundwater Report Public Hearing • April 30, 9 a.m. • 1660 W. Bay Area Blvd., Friendswood • www.hgsubsidence.org

SOURCE: HARRISGALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

APRIL IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH. CFFD HONORS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. — THEN —

— NOW — CFFD has expanded to 13 stations, with more than 600 full-time members protecting 164 square miles.

Neighbors built trucks by hand. Volunteers answered every call.

To the men and women who founded our department and the volunteers who continue to serve today: Thank you for showing up for our neighbors for the past six decades.

CONNECT WITH US! @CYFAIRFD . #CYFAIRFD

WWW.CYFAIRFD.ORG

CYPRESS EDITION