On June 18, 1999, the bill that created the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (HB 2965) was signed into law, and called a special election for January 15, 2000 so voters could confirm the creation of the new Authority and elect Directors to lead it. 

Following the election, the NHCRWA became the single entity empowered to negotiate for a secure, long-term, reliable, quality supply of wholesale drinking water for all the independent neighborhoods, municipal utility districts, small municipalities, and permitted well owners within its boundaries.

These boundaries are essentially US 290 on the west, the Harris County line on the north (Spring Creek), FM 1960 and Bammel-North Houston on the south and the western shores of Lake Houston on the east. The Authority is comprised of 335 square miles and includes approximately 460,000 residents.

The NHCRWAs primary assignment is to develop and implement a strategy for complying with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District's Regulatory Plan that requires a reduction in groundwater usage to no more than 20 percent of total water demand by the year 2030.

Since the Authority is not a taxing entity, funding for our future water supply and the infrastructure through which to deliver it is being accomplished through the sale of revenue bonds, and paid for by groundwater pumpage fees.