Conroe: Water Well Emergency & Plant Expansion
CONROE — The Conroe City Council took decisive action during its April 25 meeting to secure the city’s water future, authorizing emergency repairs for a critical production well and greenlighting eminent domain proceedings for essential infrastructure expansion.
The council voted to declare an emergency following a mechanical failure at Well No. 11, located at the San Jacinto River Authority’s (SJRA) Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) South Plant. The well, a significant component of the city’s municipal water supply, suffered a structural collapse that has caused it to pump sand, rendering it unusable for the public water system.
With peak summer water demand approaching, city officials prioritized the immediate restoration of the site. The total cost of the repairs is estimated at $3 million. Under existing agreements, the SJRA is expected to contribute up to $2.25 million toward the project. To ensure the well is operational as quickly as possible, the city council authorized the use of funds from the municipal water and sewer account to cover any remaining costs.
The well failure arrives as the city simultaneously works to manage the demands of its rapid population growth. In a move to facilitate long-term water stability, the council approved resolutions authorizing the city to initiate eminent domain proceedings for six specific properties. These land parcels are vital for the Phase 2 expansion of the City of Conroe Surface Water Treatment Plant and for securing the pipeline easements necessary to integrate the upgraded plant into the city’s broader network.
City officials noted that efforts to acquire the properties through standard voluntary negotiations have stalled, leaving legal intervention as the remaining path to keep the project on schedule. Under Texas law, the authorization for eminent domain serves as a formal step that precedes a final good-faith effort at negotiation. If these final talks do not result in a purchase agreement, the city will proceed with the acquisition through the court system to ensure the project meets its 2026 operational deadline.
The Surface Water Treatment Plant is the cornerstone of Conroe’s strategy to transition away from over-reliance on groundwater. The Phase 2 expansion is designed to provide the capacity needed to accommodate the city’s increasing residential and commercial growth.
Conroe, which has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for several years, continues to face pressure to balance infrastructure development with land use. The city updates its Capital Improvement Plan regularly to reflect the requirements of the growing population, and residents can monitor project progress and future public meeting agendas through the city’s official website at www.cityofconroe.org.
City council members expressed that while eminent domain is a measure of last resort, the necessity of maintaining a reliable water supply for the growing community outweighs the delays caused by stalled property negotiations. City staff expects to provide further updates on the timeline for both the Well No. 11 repairs and the treatment plant expansion during upcoming public sessions.