North Harris County's Water Authority Meets November 2 After Approving a $27.5 Million Pipeline Contract

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority's Board of Directors holds its next regular public meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 6 p.m., with discussions expected to cover surface water supply, ongoing construction projects, water system operations and financial matters, My Neighborhood News reported Wednesday. General Manager Jun Chang is scheduled to update the board on surface water supply and groundwater conversion, members will consider a Water Supply Agreement and Water Line Construction Agreement with East Lake Houston MUD for Villa Robles, and the agenda includes closeout of construction Projects 31D, 35A and 35B, a review of the Louetta Road pump station's condition, an update on advanced metering infrastructure, the monthly financial report, and recognition of Director Ron Graham for 25 years of board service.

The authority, created by the Texas Legislature in 1999 to address groundwater-related land subsidence in northern Harris County, delivers treated surface water to municipal utility districts and other providers rather than billing most homes directly - but its costs flow through to those providers and their customers. It has no taxing authority and finances its work through revenue bonds, groundwater pumpage fees and surface water sales; its published wholesale rates are $2.60 per 1,000 gallons for groundwater and $3.05 for surface water, according to the report.

The November meeting follows a consequential September 14 session. The board unanimously awarded Project 37A - large transmission pipelines from 12 to 42 inches in diameter along Spring Cypress Road, Louetta Road, Grant Road and North Eldridge Parkway toward Malcomson Road - to Reytec Construction Resources, the lowest of seven bidders at $27,495,689.25, contingent on Texas Water Development Board authorization. The project is part of a Project 37 expansion expected to run more than 40 miles of pipeline connecting about 22 water providers. Program Manager Amber Batson of Carollo Engineers reported a preliminary August groundwater-conversion rate of 55 percent, described as a record.

September also brought the cost question into the open. Vice President Melissa Rowell asked what caused historical subsidence in Regulatory Area 3, what is causing measurable subsidence there today, and how much additional subsidence moving from roughly 60 percent conversion to 80 percent is expected to prevent - saying, 'Before our ratepayers are asked to spend billions more, I think we owe it to them to explain exactly what they are getting for that money.' The minutes record her questions as her position, not board findings, and a motion to consult legal counsel on water rate strategies failed 2-3 before the board voted unanimously to table the rate-strategy legal questions. A budget workshop follows on November 16, and the authority's District 1 board seat is on the November 3 ballot after the Districts 2 and 3 elections were canceled as uncontested.