West Harris County Regional Water Authority Wins Prestigious Water Project of the Year Award for Critical Infrastructure Work
The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) has earned a major honor in the world of water infrastructure. At the 2025 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) in Houston, WHCRWA was awarded the Water Project of the Year for its outstanding work on Segment C2 of the Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP), a multi-year initiative that is quietly transforming the future of water delivery for hundreds of thousands of residents in west Harris County and north Fort Bend County.
The award recognizes WHCRWA’s collaboration with Gannett Fleming and Harper Brothers Construction in completing the 4.8-mile stretch of 84-inch diameter pipeline, which now carries up to 150 million gallons of treated surface water per day to WHCRWA’s Central Pump Station. While the recognition may be new, the organization’s efforts behind the scenes have been powering homes, schools, and businesses for more than two decades.
(Source: WHCRWA)Did You Know? WHCRWA is Behind the Water You Rely On Every Day
Many residents don’t realize that the West Harris County Regional Water Authority, created by the Texas Legislature in 2001, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our region has access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water. WHCRWA’s primary mission is to reduce the area’s reliance on groundwater—which contributes to land subsidence—and transition to long-term surface water solutions.
Covering 232 square miles and serving over 626,000 people across more than 150 municipal utility districts and parts of the City of Katy, WHCRWA’s work touches nearly every faucet in the region. Since delivering its first surface water in 2005, the authority has continued to expand its reach, managing a complex network of pipelines, pump stations, and capital improvement projects that ensure clean water flows where it’s needed most.
Segment C2: A Milestone in Regional Water Security
Segment C2’s completion marks a milestone in the ongoing Surface Water Supply Project, a joint effort between WHCRWA and the North Fort Bend Water Authority. The project spans more than 55 miles of pipeline, ranging from 42 to 96 inches in diameter, and includes two major pump stations. It was developed to meet increasing regional water demands and comply with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District mandates requiring a 60% reduction in groundwater use by 2025.
Construction of Segment C2 was no small feat. The project team overcame significant engineering challenges, including tunneling beneath Langham Creek and working through dense urban corridors. Creative design modifications and advanced tunneling techniques were crucial to the project’s success.
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A Legacy of Innovation and Public Service
Since its inception, WHCRWA has designed and constructed over 81.9 miles of new waterlines and built Pump Station #1, which currently delivers around 28 million gallons per day of surface water to 69 water plants within its boundaries. Two additional pump stations, with a combined capacity of 330 million gallons per day, are under construction to support the continued transition to surface water and ensure future supply stability.
Beyond infrastructure, WHCRWA is actively involved in water conservation education, offering resources for public schools and local residents. The Authority also produces an annual newsletter and maintains a regularly updated website with tips on how to reduce water usage, updates on construction projects, and regulatory information.
A Reminder of the Value Beneath Our Feet
The recognition at UIC 2025 is more than just an industry award—it’s a reminder of the critical infrastructure that powers daily life and the people working diligently to safeguard it. From showers to schools to fire hydrants, the efforts of WHCRWA and its partners ensure that clean water is available at the turn of a tap.
To learn more about the West Harris County Regional Water Authority, explore ongoing projects, or discover how you can conserve water at home, visit whcrwa.com.
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.
