For homeowners in Westheimer Lakes, reliable water service is something most people don't think much about until there's a problem. Behind the scenes, however, a considerable amount of planning, construction and maintenance goes into making sure growing communities across Fort Bend County have access to the water they need.

Those efforts will be part of the discussion when the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA) holds its next Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Creekside Event Center in Richmond.

The meeting will cover ongoing water infrastructure projects, groundwater reduction requirements, conservation initiatives, financial matters and regional water supply improvements. Several projects are moving through construction or design, while others involve decisions about how the Authority will maintain and expand its water system in the years ahead.

For residents, the meeting offers an opportunity to better understand how regional water infrastructure investments are progressing and how those investments support neighborhoods throughout the Katy, Richmond, Fulshear and surrounding Fort Bend County areas.

What Is the North Fort Bend Water Authority and Why Does It Matter?

The North Fort Bend Water Authority is a regional government entity responsible for helping reduce groundwater dependence and coordinating the delivery of alternative water supplies, primarily treated surface water, to participating utility districts and other water providers.

The Authority serves an extensive portion of northern Fort Bend County, including communities in and around Katy, Richmond, Fulshear and portions of southwest Houston.

Historically, much of the greater Houston region relied heavily on groundwater pumped from underground aquifers. Over time, excessive groundwater withdrawal contributed to land subsidence, the gradual sinking of the ground surface that can increase flooding concerns and affect roads, drainage systems and other infrastructure.

To address this issue, regional water authorities work within groundwater reduction requirements established by local subsidence districts. NFBWA's role includes developing and maintaining the infrastructure needed to deliver treated surface water and coordinating long-term water supply planning.

For residents of , the Authority's work is important even when water bills and day-to-day service are handled by a local Municipal Utility District (MUD) or another retail water provider.

NFBWA is not necessarily the agency residents contact for a household water leak, billing issue or neighborhood service interruption. Those concerns are generally handled by the local water utility. However, the Authority's infrastructure projects, water supply agreements, conservation programs and wholesale water charges can affect the broader system that supports those local providers.

Major Water Infrastructure Projects on the October 28 Agenda

One of the more substantial portions of Wednesday's meeting will focus on construction projects designed to improve regional water delivery capacity and connect additional service areas to surface water supplies.

According to the Authority's October 28 engineering report, several pipeline segments are in various stages of construction, design or property acquisition.

Segment 19 Waterline Construction Continues

Construction continues on Segment 19, with contractor MC2 Civil performing tunneling operations and beginning to receive pipe deliveries.

The Authority's engineers are recommending approval of Pay Estimate No. 3 for $253,065.60 for work completed on the project.

Other pipeline projects are also moving forward. Segment 18A remains in coordination with Kinder Morgan and Energy Transfer regarding a pipeline crossing, with pipe delivery anticipated toward the end of January 2027.

Meanwhile, design work continues on several additional segments, including 13B, 13C, 13D, 16B, 17A, 17B, 17C and 18B.

Segment 17A is expected to be advertised for construction bids in late December 2026 or early January 2027, according to the engineering report.

These individual pipeline segments are part of a larger regional water distribution network. While residents may only notice construction activity along certain roads or easements, the completed connections are intended to support the Authority's long-term surface water delivery system.

Bellaire Pump Station Improvements Approximately 78% Complete

Another significant project scheduled for discussion is the second phase of improvements at the Bellaire Pump Station, a joint facility involving NFBWA and the West Harris County Regional Water Authority.

The project is approximately 78% complete, according to the engineering report.

Current work includes installing the chemical building roof, modifying ground storage tanks, installing yard piping and continuing construction on a new ground storage tank.

Engineers are recommending approval of Pay Estimate No. 8 totaling $1,110,757.98 for contractor MC2 Civil.

The Authority is also reviewing potential change orders related to maintaining water service while new connections are made, replacing valve gearboxes and accommodating future storage infrastructure.

For local water providers, pumping stations are essential components of the regional delivery network. They help move treated water through large transmission lines to the systems that ultimately serve homes, schools and businesses.

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Fulshear-Gaston Road Widening Could Require Waterline Relocation

Residents who regularly travel Fulshear-Gaston Road may be interested in another item on the agenda.

The Authority is coordinating with Fort Bend County regarding the proposed relocation of a portion of waterline Segment 8B associated with the Fulshear-Gaston Road widening project.

Engineers have reviewed a revised draft interlocal agreement and are recommending approval, pending final legal review and completion of the engineer's opinion of probable construction costs.

The proposed agreement addresses coordination between roadway improvements and existing regional water infrastructure.

Relocating utility lines can be an important part of road expansion projects, particularly in growing areas where transportation improvements and underground infrastructure must share limited right-of-way space.

The agenda does not establish a construction start date for this relocation or indicate that residents should expect an interruption in water service.

Regional Surface Water Supply Project Continues to Advance

The Board will also receive updates on the Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP), a major regional infrastructure effort involving NFBWA and the West Harris County Regional Water Authority.

The project includes large-diameter transmission pipelines, pumping facilities and metering infrastructure designed to deliver treated surface water across the region.

According to the October engineering report, several portions of the project are already in service, including pipeline Segments A1/A2, B1/B2 and B3.

Other portions remain under construction, testing or final closeout.

The report identifies ongoing work at the regional repump station, central pump station, Kinder Morgan pipeline segments and various metering stations.

At the repump station, the two ground storage tanks are complete, while work continues on pump testing, electrical systems and associated facilities.

The Authority is also reviewing the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget for the Surface Water Supply Project.

Although these projects may be located miles from an individual neighborhood, they are part of the regional system intended to provide participating utilities with an alternative to continued heavy groundwater pumping.

Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion Reaches Major Milestone

Another regional project included in the October meeting materials is the Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion Project in Houston.

The engineering report states that substantial completion of the expanded 320-million-gallon-per-day facility became effective May 4, 2026, and that the City of Houston is operating the facility.

Remaining work includes 36 outstanding punch-list items, with the contractor requesting an extension through November 17, 2026, for final completion.

The report also addresses a previously approved $22 million settlement between Houston Waterworks Team and the City of Houston, along with related agreements involving the regional water authority partners.

These items are part of the financial and operational coordination required to bring a major regional water treatment expansion into full completion.

For northern Fort Bend County, expanded treatment capacity and transmission infrastructure are connected pieces of the long-term effort to secure surface water supplies as communities continue to develop.

Water Conservation Programs Offer Practical Benefits for Homeowners

While large construction projects account for much of the Authority's long-term planning, NFBWA also operates programs that residents can use at home.

Water conservation and reuse initiatives are among the topics scheduled for discussion at the October 28 meeting.

According to the Authority's communications report, the W.I.S.E. Guys Irrigation System Evaluation Program completed 94 evaluations in September 2026.

The program offers eligible homeowners a free sprinkler system evaluation to help identify irrigation problems and opportunities to reduce unnecessary water use.

That can be particularly helpful in Fort Bend County, where lawns and landscaping often require additional watering during the long, hot summer months.

Other programs available through NFBWA include:

• Resident Water Conservation Rebates: Eligible homeowners may qualify for rebates when making certain irrigation system improvements or replacing qualifying household appliances.

• Water My Yard: Provides free, customized weekly lawn watering recommendations.

• HOA Water Usage Analysis Program: Helps participating homeowners associations evaluate irrigation practices and identify water conservation opportunities.

• Reclaimed Water Program: Encourages the use of treated reclaimed water for appropriate purposes, reducing demand for other water sources.

• Mobile Learning Lab: Brings water conservation education to schools and community events.

The Authority reports that more than 7 billion gallons of water have been reclaimed through its reuse efforts, while its regional network includes 112 participating water providers and cities.

Residents interested in participating can find eligibility information and program details at nfbwa.com.

Financial Decisions and Water Supply Costs Also on the Agenda

In addition to construction and conservation, the Board will review financial reports, operating expenses, payments to contractors and other administrative matters.

The October meeting packet includes an extensive financial report covering operating accounts, capital projects, bond obligations and water-related expenditures.

One figure that illustrates the scale of the Authority's operations is its September water usage.

According to the operations report, NFBWA purchased approximately 575.9 million gallons of water from the City of Houston during September 2026 and sold approximately 564.5 million gallons through its distribution system.

The report lists water accountability at 98.02% for the month.

The Board will also consider reimbursement requests associated with chloramine conversion projects, including $15,667.40 for Fort Bend County MUD No. 37 and $28,292.34 for Fort Bend County MUD No. 124.

Chloramine conversion involves preparing local water systems to use a different disinfectant treatment process, helping maintain compatibility with the treated water supplied through regional infrastructure.

These financial and operational decisions matter because NFBWA's water supply and infrastructure costs are part of the expenses participating water providers must manage.

Residents may recognize the Authority through an NFBWA-related fee on their water bills. Those fees help support the regional water supply system, including infrastructure investments associated with reducing groundwater dependence.

The October agenda does not specifically identify a proposed increase to the Authority's water fees. Residents should not interpret the scheduled contractor payments as a newly approved household water rate increase.

Public Participation: How to Attend the October 28 NFBWA Meeting

Residents of who want to learn more about regional water planning or hear the Board's discussions firsthand may attend the meeting in person.

The meeting agenda includes an opportunity for public comments, followed by discussions and possible action on Authority business.

Residents can review the documents before attending:

• October 28, 2026 Board Meeting Agenda

• October 28, 2026 Board Meeting Packet

Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services were asked to contact the Authority's attorney at 713-860-6400 at least three business days before the meeting.

NFBWA Announces November and December 2026 Meeting Dates

Residents planning to follow the Authority's work through the remainder of the year should note two changes to the regular meeting schedule.

Although NFBWA Board meetings are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., the upcoming holiday meetings have been scheduled for:

• Thursday, November 19, 2026

• Thursday, December 17, 2026

Residents can visit the Authority's official website for meeting information, agendas, conservation resources and additional updates.

What Happens Next for North Fort Bend County's Water System?

Following the October 28 meeting, residents can watch for updates on construction progress, additional pipeline connections, the Bellaire Pump Station improvements and the regional Surface Water Supply Project.

Board consideration of the recommended payments and agreements will also help determine how several active projects move forward.

As the Katy, Richmond and Fulshear areas continue to grow, maintaining an adequate long-term water supply remains an important part of regional infrastructure planning. For established neighborhoods and newer developments alike, that means balancing current water needs with groundwater reduction requirements and investments intended to serve future generations.

The October 28 meeting provides another opportunity to see how those plans are progressing, what work remains and how regional decisions connect to the water systems serving local homes and businesses.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional updates on North Fort Bend Water Authority meetings, regional water projects and infrastructure developments affecting local neighborhoods.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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