The Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 14 adopted proactive measures to prevent regional subsidence on Wednesday, January 5.
The new desired future condition (DFC) sets limits on how far the aquifer water level can be drawn down in the Upper Gulf Coast aquifer. It also includes limits on subsidence, or the sinking of the land surface.
In the Houston region, excessive groundwater withdrawal causes aquifer water levels to decline, which leads to aquifer material actually compacting, or sinking in on itself. This compaction is seen at the surface as subsidence.
This sinking can damage private property, infrastructure, and makes areas more prone to flooding.
As an interlocal participant in the GMA planning process, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (District) provides technical expertise and works with member districts to monitor and prevent subsidence.
“The District will continue to monitor subsidence within Harris and Galveston and surrounding counties, and work with adjacent districts to understand its impacts,” General Manager Mike Turco said. “Historical data shows that reducing our reliance on groundwater prevents subsidence.”
The adoption of the subsidence metric comes at an important time during the region’s explosive growth. With an increasing population in west Harris County, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller counties, groundwater usage has increased, leading to an uptick in subsidence rates in those areas.
Along with its role in regional water planning and ongoing subsidence research, the District is currently conducting a study to examine the effects of subsidence on flooding around Spring Creek, which runs along the northwestern border of Harris County, separating it from Montgomery and Waller counties. The study is expected to conclude in mid-2022.
“The subsidence metric in the newest DFCs for the GMA 14 area elevates the conversation about subsidence in our region,” Turco said. “This metric compliments the District’s regulatory plan which requires additional future reduction in groundwater use and conversion to alternative sources of water.”
The GMA 14 will submit the adopted DFCs in an explanatory report with additional documentation to the Texas Water Development Board. For more information about the 2021 Joint Groundwater Planning process, click here.
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District exists to prevent subsidence, the sinking of land surface caused by groundwater withdrawal, in Harris and Galveston counties. The District protects the region from the ongoing impacts of subsidence by providing reasonable groundwater regulation based on the best available science. In addition to its Science and Research program, the District also leads multiple Water Conservation education projects, such as SmarterAboutWater.org, to bolster the region’s resiliency by helping existing water resources go further.