BUILDING A NEW WATER INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT AN

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Presented by Al RendlTWCA Annual Meeting – March 6, 2014

NORTH HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY

HOUSTON’S ETJ

Gulf Coast Aquifer

SUBSIDENCE AND AQUIFER DECLINE

“FM 1960 Area Fastest growing residential community in America…”

-- Wall Street Journal, 1975

245% POPULATION GROWTH

ANNEXATION IS COMMON ENEMY

HGSD -- ARRESTING SUBSIDENCE

SPIRIT OF NORTH HARRISCOUNTY

COALITION

Phased groundwater reduction mandate for

NW Harris Co. area• January 2010 – 30%• January 2020 – 70%• January 2030 – 80%

HARRIS GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT

NHCRWA PRIMARY MISSION:Secure adequate surface water,

develop a system for transition to surface water

First BoardMeeting…

February 2000

To find and assure a long-term supply of quality drinking water at the lowest responsible cost.• Promote water conservation• Identify/provide cost effective alternative

water sources.• Maintain regulatory compliance• Encourage intergovernmental cooperation• Develop and implement a strategy

for complying with HGCSD 1999 regulations

NHCRWA MISSION STATEMENT:

CHARTING THE COURSE

FINDING A LONG-TERM SOURCE OF WATERBRAZOS RIVER

TRINTIY RIVER

Negotiated:• Initial surface water rights• Ownership and participation

in COH’s NEWPP on Lake Houston

DEVELOP GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLAN

D R A F TGROUNDWATER

REDUCTION PLAN

AVAILABLE SOURCES OF FUNDING• No taxing authority• Ability to sell bonds

without constituent vote

• Allowed Authority to charge Groundwater Pumpage Fee to all well owners, and• Ability to set rates

for surface water

GROUNDWATER PUMPAGE FEE2000 Initial Fee = $0.10 Increased to $0.12

Increased to $0.25CURRENT FEES:Groundwater = $1.75/1000 gallonsSurface water = $2.20/surface waterAPRIL, 2014:Groundwater = $2.00/1000 gallonsSurface water = $2.45/1000 gallons

PLEDGE: AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

DISCLOSE PUMPAGE FEE ON WATER BILL

FIRST WEBSITE -- 2001

EDUCATORS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

TOWN HALLS

TEXAS WATER HOG

MOBILE TEACHING LAB

“LEARNING FROM OUR PAST” ASSEMBLY

MEDIA INTERVIEWS

US EPA ARSENIC REGULATION CHANGE

GREENSPOINT LINEPARTNERSHIP

• IAH TO GREENSPOINT• INCREASE SIZE AND SHARE• WATER FOR 20 YEARS• SAVES AUTHORITY ALMOST $15 MILLION

LAKE CONROE

LAKE HOUSTON

THE LUCE BAYOU PROJECT

TRINITY RIVER PUMP STATION

LUCE BAYOUMAIN CANAL

POTENTIAL SUPPLY 450 MGD INTOLAKE HOUSTON

North Harris County Regional Water

Authority3648 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 110

Houston, TX 77068 n 281-440-3924