Planning for the region’s water resources and enhancing its resiliency involves many entities. The Subsidence District asked a few regional partners to share their perspectives on the water planning process and how the District plays a role in those discussions.
West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) & Region 6 Flood Planning Group Perspective
Alia Vinson is General Counsel for the West Harris County Regional Water Authority and the Vice-Chair of the Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group. As Partner at Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP, Vinson has a particular interest in long-term water supply planning, water infrastructure development, water conservation and reuse projects, flood control infrastructure and flood planning, and the development of park and recreational facilities.
We asked Vinson about the importance of water planning for the region and the Subsidence District’s role in the process:
1. WHCRWA is a key player in multiple regional projects, like the Luce Bayou Project and the Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion. Can you talk about the impact these projects will have on the future of the region?
The WHCRWA is working with its partners (the City of Houston and other Regional Water Authorities) to construct massive surface water transmission and treatment facilities, which are necessary to meet water demands in Harris and Fort Bend Counties for decades to come. In addition, these surface water projects will enable the north and western portions of Harris County (and northeast Fort Bend County) to utilize less groundwater and in turn reduce land subsidence.
2. Why is long-term water planning necessary and how does WHCRWA adjust for uncertainties?
Surface water projects take years to plan, permit, and finance, so it’s absolutely necessary to plan decades in advance. The Region H Regional Water Planning Group, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, and the Texas Water Development Board are great resources to assist water providers in getting the best information available about long-term water demands and supplies for our region.
3. What need does Region 6 fill for the region’s future?
In the 2019 Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature required statewide flood planning for the first time. The first State Flood Plan must be completed in 2024 and will be updated every 5 years. The Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group is responsible for preparing a Regional Flood Plan for the San Jacinto River watershed, which will then be incorporated into the State Flood Plan each cycle. A flood project will only be able to qualify for funding through the State’s Flood Infrastructure Fund if it’s included in the State Flood Plan.
4. How have you seen the Subsidence District bring value to the regional planning discussions (from the Authority’s perspective and Region 6)?
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District provides expertise and technical knowledge on the impacts of groundwater withdrawals from our region’s aquifers, including land subsidence which can further exacerbate flooding. That’s why the Subsidence District is such an important voice in water supply planning and regional flood planning.
Industry and Developer Perspective
Mark Gehringer is the Director of Land Development for Bridgeland at The Howard Hughes Corp and serves on the Fort Bend Subsidence District board of directors, appointed on behalf of the North Fort Bend Water Authority.
What benefits does regional water planning offer developers?
Planning is critical to development. Regional water planning helps determine the road map that allows developers to know what challenges or opportunities may exist regarding water supply for their development.
How have you seen the Subsidence District bring value to the regional planning discussions?
Both Houston region subsidence districts have provided years of technical, science-based evaluations that present the effects of over-pumping groundwater such as subsidence. Subsidence can lead to increased flooding in those areas. The districts also present results of conservation and alternate water source usage on the aquifers. This information regarding the potential negative impacts of excessive withdrawals provides a context of risk when considering regional water sources in the future.
Why is long-term water planning necessary for the region?
The rate of development within the Houston region demands forethought to implement the necessary water supply to meet the needs of the new growth. Putting water supply projects in motion early so that those supplies are available when the growth needs it is critical. Waiting to react to the growth instead of planning ahead is not sustainable and puts the entire region at risk.
Region 6 Water Planning Group Perspective
After retiring from office as the Trinity County Judge, the Hon. Mark Evans currently serves as the Planning and Governmental Affairs Director for the North Harris County Regional Water Authority. He also leads the state’s Region H Water Planning Group as Chairman and has more than 15 years of serving on the Planning Group.
Why is water planning essential for the region?
Inclusive, effective, regional planning is essential in the development of each and every State Water Plan in identifying and meeting the region’s future water demands and needs, and in planning for adequate water supplies for the region’s growth.
Can you talk about the impact alternative water projects (like the Luce Bayou Project and the Northeast Purification Plant Expansion) will have on the future of the region?
The multi-billion-dollar surface water delivery projects that are under development in the greater Houston area will provide surface water that will be needed to meet the water demand and needs of the region and ensure the area’s continued growth and prosperity in the decades ahead while preventing further subsidence.
Region H involves many partners and stakeholders – what is the key to successful collaboration when planning for water resources with so many different agencies?
The Texas Regional Water Planning Process was created to develop a State Water Plan involving multiple interest groups and stakeholders, starting at the local level and planning from the “ground up”. In order for this type of planning process to be successful and have validity, it must involve an inclusive approach that provides for involvement and input from all stakeholders, interest groups, and the general public. The finished product must have buy-in from all the stakeholders.
How have you seen the Subsidence District bring value to the regional planning discussions?
The Subsidence District, through the participation of its General Manager, has brought respected leadership and valuable groundwater expertise to the Region H Planning process. Accurately defining the amount of groundwater available for the supply is critical to dependable water planning.
Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA)Perspective
Brandon Wade is the Gulf Coast Water Authority General Manager and Chief Executive Officer with more than 35 years of municipal experience. GCWA provides up to 200 million gallons of water a day to industrial, municipal, and agricultural customers in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties. The Thomas Mackey Water Treatment Plant also provides drinking water to the majority of Galveston County communities.
The Gulf Coast Water Authority was instrumental in the conversion process from groundwater to alternative water in Galveston County. Why was that effort necessary for the region?
The GCWA was created in 1965 by Industrial Customers in the Texas City Industrial Complex to convert their source from groundwater to surface water. The TCI Complex recognized as far back as the 1940s that Subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal was not sustainable. Over the past several decades, the GCWA has expanded its service areas to include Brazoria County and Fort Bend County, along with Galveston County.
What regional factors does GCWA consider during long-term planning?
The GCWA has recently started the creation of a new Integrated Water Resources Plan. Resilience and reliability of our source water, especially during drought periods, is essential to support our Mission Statement “To reliably deliver water to our customers”. The GCWA is currently focused primarily on the Brazos River for its source water, but we will be looking to diversify our water portfolio over the next several years.
How does the GCWA collaborate with other agencies on water planning?
The GCWA has a very close relationship with the Brazos River Authority. The GCWA utilizes state-issued Run of the River Water Rights to provide water to its customers, but in times of drought, the GCWA contracts with the BRA to provide stored water when the run of the river water is not available.
How have you seen the Subsidence District impact the regional planning discussions?
The GCWA started out as the pragmatic, yet unregulated solution to subsidence in Texas City. The Subsidence District stepped in a short while later by providing the formal regulation that we all follow. Development looks to the cities, counties, and water districts to provide support for their development. Those cities, counties, and water districts utilize the GCWA to meet the requirements of the Subsidence District that keep us all safe. The most recent example of regional planning solutions is the Texas Water Development Board Regional Flood Planning Groups. The Subsidence District is an active participant in this new planning model.