WHCRWA’s Segment B3 Earns 2026 Water Project of the Year, Highlighting Long-Term Water Security for West Harris County
Residents across West Harris County may never see it from the road, but beneath the surface, one of the region’s most significant infrastructure investments has just earned statewide recognition.
The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) has received the 2026 Water Project of the Year Award for Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP) Segment B3 at the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC), held January 27–28, 2026, in San Antonio. The honor recognizes complex, large-scale infrastructure projects that demonstrate engineering excellence and long-term community impact.
For the more than 626,800 residents living within WHCRWA’s 232-square-mile service area—including portions of the City of Katy and more than 150 Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)—this award reflects something deeper than industry recognition. It represents progress toward a more reliable, sustainable regional water supply.
What Is Segment B3 of the Surface Water Supply Project?
Segment B3 is a major component of the Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP), a regional initiative jointly developed and funded by the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) and the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA).
The project is designed to deliver treated surface water from Lake Houston, conveyed through the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP), and transported across the region through more than 55 miles of large-diameter transmission pipeline.
Segment B3 specifically includes:
- A 96-inch diameter steel waterline
- Approximately 4.4 miles of transmission pipeline
- A continuous 128-inch tunnel alignment
- Alignment running west of I-45 to Hopper Road on Houston’s northeast side
- Construction utilizing a “Lovat” tunnel boring machine
- Tunnel support using ribs and lagging
- Designed by Black & Veatch
- Constructed by Jay Dee Contractors, Inc.
Construction began in Spring 2022 and reached substantial completion on October 16, 2025.
Importantly, the tunnel alignment utilized an active oil and gas pipeline corridor through a developed urban area, minimizing surface disruption to neighborhoods, businesses, and roadways.
Selected From a Competitive Field of National Projects
Segment B3 was selected from a highly competitive group of finalists for the 2026 Water Project of the Year Award, including:
- Sherman West 36″ HDPE Force Main HDD — Dakota Utility Contractors LLC
- Dallas Water Utilities Cedar Crest Water Line — Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
- City of Tempe Rehabilitation of 30″ Water Main — CPM Pipelines
- Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project — S.J. Louis Construction, Inc.
This year’s program combined the Underground Infrastructure Awards and the UCTA MVP Awards into a single premier recognition event, raising the bar for competition.
This marks the second major industry award for Segment B3.
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In November 2025, the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Houston Chapter honored SWSP Segment B3 with its BEST 2025 Project of the Year Award – Water/Wastewater Over $100 Million, presented at the annual Hard Hatters Gala BEST Awards ceremony.
CMAA Houston recognized project partners including:
- West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA)
- GFT, Inc.
- Project Surveillance
- Tunnel Tex, LLC
- Black & Veatch
- HB Trenchless
- Jay Dee Contractors, Inc.
Their collective work represents years of engineering, planning, financing, and construction coordination.
Why the Surface Water Supply Project Matters Locally
While awards highlight engineering achievement, the larger story is about water security and regulatory compliance.
The WHCRWA was created in 2001 by House Bill 1842 during the 77th Texas Legislature. The legislation—introduced by State Representative Bill Callegari and sponsored by Senator Jon Lindsay—was signed into law by Governor James Richard Perry on May 28, 2001.
The Authority’s mission includes:
- Reducing groundwater withdrawals
- Preventing land subsidence
- Conserving groundwater reservoirs
- Providing long-term surface water supplies
- Meeting regional water mandates
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) and the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) require groundwater reductions of:
- 30% by 2010 — Completed
- 60% by 2025 — Completed
- 80% by 2035 — In progress
Effective January 1, 2026, the Subsidence District implemented a $12.52 per 1,000-gallon disincentive fee for entities failing to meet required reductions.
Projects like Segment B3 help the region meet those mandates by moving more treated surface water from Lake Houston to local retail providers—including MUDs, PUDs, and WCIDs—within WHCRWA and NFBWA boundaries.
The Scale of WHCRWA’s Regional Water System
As of June 2024, the WHCRWA has:
- Constructed 81.9 miles of new waterlines
- Built Pump Station #1 (60 MGD capacity; firm capacity 37,500 gpm)
- Delivered approximately 28 million gallons per day (MGD) of surface water to 69 water plants
- Two additional pump stations under construction totaling 330 MGD capacity
- Installed an electronic monitoring system and web-based GIS system
Pump Station #1, which began operation on June 24, 2008, includes three 5-million-gallon storage tanks (15 MG total capacity) and two 2MW emergency generators. Construction cost was $16.3 million.
Surface water delivery has grown significantly over time:
- 2009: 11.2 MGD delivered (59.5 MGD total demand)
- 2026 (projected): 52.8 MGD delivered (88.0 MGD total demand)
- 2035 (projected): 79.1 MGD delivered (98.9 MGD total demand)
The first surface water was delivered in September 2005 following successful long-term supply negotiations with the City of Houston.
Today, the Authority serves approximately 626,800 people across 232 square miles.
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A Long-Term Investment in Regional Growth
Segment B3 is more than a tunnel or a 96-inch waterline—it is a critical link in a system designed to support continued residential and commercial growth across West Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.
By delivering treated surface water from the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) through large-diameter transmission pipelines ranging from 96 inches to 42 inches, the Surface Water Supply Project strengthens the region’s ability to meet future demand while complying with groundwater reduction mandates.
The WHCRWA continues to fund its Capital Improvement Plan through bond sales and surface water fees, maintaining an aggressive construction schedule to meet regulatory deadlines and community growth needs.
In addition to infrastructure expansion, the Authority promotes water conservation education programs in public schools and publishes ongoing updates to keep residents informed about regional water issues.
What This Means for Residents and Utility Districts
For homeowners and businesses within WHCRWA boundaries, infrastructure investments like Segment B3 help:
- Stabilize long-term water supply
- Reduce reliance on groundwater
- Mitigate subsidence risk
- Support regulatory compliance
- Strengthen regional resiliency
While much of the work occurs underground and out of sight, the benefits are directly tied to everyday essentials—reliable water at the tap and infrastructure capable of supporting continued community growth.
As regional demand increases and groundwater reduction mandates tighten toward 2035, projects like Segment B3 will remain central to how West Harris County manages water responsibly and sustainably.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of regional infrastructure developments and water system updates affecting West Harris County communities.
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.
