Water Users Coalition

Giving Water Districts a Stronger Voice! Actively advancing ideas and concerns of our members.

City of Tomball – Surface Water Conversion Delay

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Hello, Water Users Coalition,

Due to an unfortunate user error, we do not have a video recording of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) meeting on 02/02/26 to share.
However, we would like to bring to your attention that several NHCRWA board members are proposing not to provide surface water to the City of Tomball at their request. The NHCRWA engineer and the general manager have both said that this proposal would cost the NHCRWA (Water Users) an additional 250 – 500 million dollars to build an expanded infrastructure to reach up to 100 small groundwater wells to make up the surface water conversion difference that Tomball would use. Also, the NHCRWA would not meet the 2035 subsidence mandate, subjecting water users to disincentive fees.
This is a non-starter for anyone with common sense. The following bullet points represent how a decision not to convert the City of Tomball to surface water harms everyone else in the NHCRWA GRP.

  • 250 – 500 million dollars of additional money to build an expanded distribution system.
  • The NHCRWA will not meet the 2035 mandate, subjecting all water users to a disincentive fee.
  • Sets a precedent for other entities that may not want to convert to surface water.
  • What makes Tomball any different than all the other water users within the NHCRWA boundaries?
  • All NHCRWA customers should be treated the same. This consideration is political and not in the interest of the other water users within the NHCRWA.

We may need your help expressing your displeasure with the NHCRWA for considering special treatment for the City of Tomball. The proposal not to convert the City of Tomball to surface water is in direct conflict with the recommendations from the NHCRWA staff and consultants. 
You would think that this proposal would be an easy decision? However, every month there is something new that leaves me at a loss. The Tomball route study was removed from the capital improvement plan. An all-out effort was made not to proceed with any study. However, the route study was approved as a separate motion with a vote of 3 to 2. I am not sure what may happen in the future.

Below is a letter from the City of Tomball to Mark Ramsey, president of the NHCRWA. We will continue to monitor and report on the NHCRWA’s activities as more information becomes available.

To listen to the audio of the February 2, 2026, meeting, click here.

Best regards,
Jerry Homan
713 703 4527 cell

February 02, 2026, NHCRWA Meeting

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The next North Harris County Regional Water Authority Board of Directors meeting, open to the public, will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6pm at the Authority’s Office, 3648 Cypress Creek Pkwy., Suite 110, Houston, TX 77068.

The agenda for the meeting is available on the Authority’s website: www.nhcrwa.com.  

The Authority will also broadcast this meeting via Zoom Webinar. You must register to view and/or listen to the meeting by registering at https://tinyurl.com/yh8nkn44. Upon registration, a telephone number to listen to the meeting, a link to watch the meeting, and a password will be provided. People viewing/listening to the meeting on Zoom will NOT be able to address the Board during the meeting. The Authority makes no assurances that all or any business conducted during this meeting will be visible or audible to people monitoring the meeting on Zoom.