Why is the IWRP necessary?

Historically, water supply needs for the City have been met with groundwater from the Gulf Coast Aquifer, similar to other municipalities across Fort Bend, Harris and Galveston Counties.

Groundwater withdrawals from the Gulf Coast Aquifer throughout the region, combined with the underlying geologic structure in the southeast Texas coast, have resulted in a phenomenon called subsidence. Because of this, the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) was established by the Texas Legislature in 1989 to regulate groundwater withdrawals to prevent further land subsidence in Fort Bend County.

What is Subsidence?

Subsidence is the settling or shrinking of the land surface due to compaction of the ground below it and can result in increased potential for localized flooding.

Beginning in 2014, the City had to meet FBSD regulations requiring the City to supply 30-percent of its water demand from alternative (non-groundwater) sources. In 2025, this water supply requirement will increase to 60-percent alternative sources.

In 2008, the City approved the groundwater reduction plan (GRP) that was created to meet FBSD regulations.