The Conroe City Council held a special meeting on May 30, 2025, to address pressing issues regarding the city's water capacity and infrastructure challenges. The meeting began with a review of the current state of the water system, highlighting significant concerns about the operational status of the city's wells.

Council members discussed the ongoing impact of a moratorium on new connections, which has been in place since August 2024. It was noted that out of 19 active wells, seven have gone offline, with five still out of service. The reasons for these outages included scheduled maintenance, unexpected equipment failures, and severe weather incidents, such as lightning strikes damaging critical infrastructure. The council expressed concern over the city's reduced water capacity, particularly as the summer months approach.

A key point of discussion was the city's request for an Adjusted Capacity Rate (ACR) from the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA). The council emphasized the importance of receiving this request promptly, as exceeding the current water allocation could lead to penalties. The SJRA has proposed increasing the city's water allocation by 1.5 million gallons per day, contingent upon the city dropping its ongoing legal suit against the authority. Council members voiced their reluctance to forfeit legal rights for immediate relief, stressing the need for a fair resolution that serves the citizens of Conroe.

The council also called for collaboration with local developers to address the water and sewer capacity issues. It was highlighted that developers could play a crucial role in providing additional infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the city. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that there are currently around 1,000 permits awaiting approval, which the council may not be able to accommodate under the existing moratorium.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical state of Conroe's water system and the need for immediate action and collaboration among city officials, developers, and the SJRA. The council remains committed to finding solutions to ensure the health and safety of its citizens while navigating the financial constraints that complicate these efforts. Further discussions and follow-up actions are anticipated as the city seeks to address these ongoing challenges.