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Houston Hits the Surface

The effort to minimize subsidence and stabilize groundwater levels-critical in a region prone to flooding in low-lying coastal areas - is behind a political debate that began over 40 years ago and grows in importance. Here, LJA recaps the issues, the history, and the current status.

When the Allen brothers arrived in 1852, one of the things they most appreciated about Houston was the abundant water supply. Ever since the first well was dug into the shallow water table, Houston has relied on groundwater for a major portion its water supply.

Today, the City of Houston owns and operates the groundwater pumping facilities to serve its four million residents, as well as the rights to 70% of the surface water from Lake Houston, Lake Livingston, and Lake Conroe. Currently, a little over 50% of the City's water supply comes from surface water.

However, outside of the city limits, independent water districts own and operate the groundwater-based facilities. Many outlying communities depend on Municipal Utility Districts, or MUDs, to provide water to residents.

Recently, several related events focused attention on the need to change the status quo:

In June 1997, Governor George W. Bush signed into law Senate Bill 1 (SB1), acknowledging the vulnerability of Texas to drought, and the limits of existing water supplies to meet increasing demands as the population grows. SB1 calls for the development of Regional Water Plans to be incorporated into a comprehensive State Water Plan by September 1, 2001 (recently extended to January 5, 2002). The objective is to ensure water supply for Texans for the next 50 years.

As described in the February, 1998 issue of the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District publication, "for the period 1995 - 2030, based on no further surface water conversion and, therefore, all future water demand being met with groundwater, the subsidence that would occur would be as much as five additional feet in the western and northern portions of Harris County with the majority of the coastal areas experiencing one to two feet of additional subsidence." This potentially serious projected subsidence and related decline in aquifer pumping levels prompted the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District to issue an order to reduce the western and northern portions of Harris County area's reliance on groundwater supply to 20% by 2030.

The mandate to transition to surface water supplies was made clear.

Region H
SB1 established the Region H Regional Water Planning Group as one of 16 state-wide regions reporting to the Texas Water Development Board. Region H, which included 15 counties radiating from Harris County, is currently involved in a 16-month study of water users and water suppliers, potential shortages and recommended corrections to develop a 50-year water plan.

Within Region H, discussions are underway as to who will control the conversion process from groundwater to surface water in the area and, in fact, serve as the water authority in outlying regions.

On one side of this central issue are individual water utilities (including water districts, small cities, non-profit, and private users) in unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Houston. Some of these groups have formed, or want to form alliances (called "Super-MUDs") to build and control a surface water supply system. This could be through contractual agreements with the City of Houston for some of the City's excess supply, or through seeking new supplies. On the other side of the issue lies the City of Houston, which has its own plans for providing water.

Here is a quick synopsis of two locales of interest to LJA Insights readers:

North Harris County
In January of this year, voters in North Harris County overwhelmingly approved the creation of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) to plan and implement the conversion to surface water supply for 180-plus districts bounded by the city limits, the county line, Lake Houston and U.S. 290.

The NHCRWA, overseen by an elected board of five directors, is the result of a plan developed by State Senator Jon Lindsay, R-Houston. The Authority holds the power to contract for water services. To meet the conversion deadline, the Authority could issue bonds to create a surface water distribution system for the 500,000 residents of the area.

Currently, NHCRWA plans call for the construction of a system of transmission lines to convey surface water from Lake Houston. The surface water would be purchased from the City of Houston. A new water treatment plant is planned for construction near Lake Houston. Estimates on costs of the ultimate system, to be in place by 2030, are in the neighborhood of $800 million.

With no taxing authority, the NHCRWA plans to finance the construction by issuing $840 million in revenue bonds in three increments over approximately 30 years.

Fort Bend County
Another area of Region H, Fort Bend County, has also seen a groundswell of activity to ensure future water supply in the region, with current supplies projected to meet the demand only through 2030.

Last year, officials representing several municipalities in Fort Bend County agreed to support participation in the "Lower Brazos River Water Alliance," which would collectively investigate the viability of developing Allens Creek Reservoir into a regional surface water source.

The Allens Creek site, formerly owned by Houston Lighting & Power, would help meet the mandate to provide additional water for the rapidly growing area. Spokespeople for the area, which includes Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond and Rosenberg, allow that the current water supply from the Brazos River is already committed for present and future use.

Treading Water
As in any far-reaching political and technical issue, there are different opinions about what is best for the people, the environment, and the state. But on one thing, all the experts agree: As deadlines approach and more alliances are formed, discussions and public debate will continue.

A key step that is needed is to educate the public, which largely, according to one official, "does not even realize it has a problem." That is what is happening today, in community meetings and publications. Election candidates are sure to address the issue.

One other thing is sure: In many areas the conversion from groundwater to surface water will happen. And the debates will be intense, because the issue of an adequate future water supply hangs in the balance.

LJA will continue to provide information on the regions surface water conversion, as it develops. For more information on regional and state water planning, visit the Texas Water Development Board web site at www.twdb.state.tx.us.