Proposed Revision to the NHCRWA Rate Order and Pricing Policy to Provide for the Conservation, Preservation, Protection, and Prevention of Waste of Ground Water
Comments Requested
The NHCRWA is requesting written comments from interested persons to the following proposed revisions to the NHCRWA Rate Order and Pricing Policy prior to the April 6, 2026 Regular Board Meeting. Written comments may be submitted to the NHCRWA through the form below.
Description
Pursuant to the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (Subsidence District) regulations, the NHCRWA is required to meet certain alternative water conversion requirements to reduce the use of ground water within the NHCRWA’s boundaries. To meet the Subsidence District requirements and provide for the conservation and protection of ground water, proposed revisions to the District’s Rate Order and Pricing Policy have been put forth to further incentive the use of surface water and disincentive the use of ground water for those who have connections to receive surface water from the NHCRWA. This would be accomplished by distinguishing between “Ground Water” (ground water withdrawals by those without a connection to receive surface water from the NHCRWA) and “Conservation Ground Water” (ground water withdrawals by those with a connection to receive surface water from the NHCRWA) and charging an increased pumpage rate for pumping Conservation Ground Water compared to Ground Water.
Proposed Revisions
Revisions to Section 1.01 Definitions:
- Revise “Water” definition to: “Water” means collectively, Ground Water, Conservation Ground Water, Imported Water, and Authority Water.
- Add “Ground Water”: “Ground Water” means water pumped from a Non-Exempt Well by a Person who has no connection to any Authority System except for remote Meter reading devices.
- Add “Conservation Ground Water”: “Conservation Ground Water” means water pumped from a Non-Exempt well by a Person with any connection to any Authority System except for remote Meter reading devices.
Revisions to Pricing Policy:
New rate schedule:
- Authority Water $3.05 per 1,000 gallons
- Ground Water $2.60 per 1,000 gallons
- Conservation Ground Water $3.50 per 1,000 gallons
- Imported Water $2.60 per 1,000 gallons
- New Participant Fee (in addition to the Cost of Water above) $2.82 per 1,000 gallons
- Contract GRP Fee Set by contract