Ensuring a reliable, long-term water supply for West Harris County and North Fort Bend County, Texas
The Surface Water Supply Project
To meet the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) and Fort Bend Subsidence District’s (FBSD) groundwater reduction mandates for 2025 and beyond, the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) has partnered with the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA) to construct the Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP).
Once complete, surface water from Lake Houston will be supplied to retail water providers (MUDs, PUDs, WCIDs, etc…) in the WHCRWA and NFBWA by way of the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant through over 55 miles of pipeline and two large pump stations. These transmission pipelines will vary in diameter from 96 inches to 42 inches, depending on the pipeline segment.
The Mandate
The groundwater withdrawal in Harris and Galveston counties is regulated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD), a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975 for the purpose of reducing land subsidence.
The HGSD requires all water suppliers in Harris and Galveston counties to reduce groundwater pumping based on the rate of subsidence in their area. In the HGSD regulatory areas map shown, areas 1 and 2 have already converted to surface water. Area 3 requires conversion to alternate water via a 30% reduction of groundwater usage by 2010, 60% by 2025, and 80% by 2035.
Construction Timeline
Project construction began in 2020 and is being completed in multiple segments which are a key part of our 2025 conversion program.
Opportunities for Outreach
The Surface Water Supply Team provides multiple opportunities for you to receive information about the project. You may email us at info@surfacewatersupplyproject.com or call our project hotline at 1-844-638-SWSP (7977) for updates. We are available to provide presentations to your local organization (meeting in-person or virtually), as well. If you would like for the Project Team to reach out and provide project information, give us a call or email us today!