Groundwater Reduction Plan 2025: What It Means for Rosenberg, TX

Water keeps Rosenberg growing, healthy, and resilient. Most of our drinking water has traditionally come from groundwater—fresh water pumped from underground aquifers. But heavy reliance on these aquifers has side effects: land can sink (subsidence), water levels can drop, and long-term reliability can suffer. That’s why Rosenberg’s Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) matters. The plan aims to convert 60% of our water supply to alternative sources by 2025, which requires about six million gallons per day (MGD) of alternative water. This blog explains what the plan includes, why the shift is happening, how it affects you, and what you can do to help.

Why Groundwater Management Matters

Groundwater is a hidden lifeline. It fills our taps, waters our landscapes, and supports business growth. But aquifers aren’t limitless. When we pump groundwater faster than nature refills it, levels fall. In parts of the Houston–Galveston region, too much pumping has also caused the ground to subside, damaging roads, pipes, and buildings and increasing flood risks. Regulatory agencies in our area—like the Fort Bend Subsidence District—require communities to reduce dependence on groundwater and switch to alternative sources, such as surface water, to protect people and infrastructure.

For Rosenberg, meeting these rules isn’t just about compliance—it’s about securing a stable, sustainable water future that keeps costs predictable and service reliable for decades.

The 2025 Goal: 60% Conversion and 6 MGD of Alternative Water

Rosenberg’s Groundwater Reduction Plan sets a clear target: by 2025, 60% of our drinking water needs should come from alternative sources. To achieve that, the city and GRP participants need approximately six MGD of alternative water capacity. In practical terms:

60% conversion means more of our daily demand will come from surface water (such as treated river water) and other non-groundwater sources.
Six MGD is the volume needed to meet the conversion target based on projected demand. This capacity ensures we can reduce groundwater pumping while still meeting peak needs and growth.

Reaching this benchmark involves new infrastructure, operational changes, and ongoing community participation in conservation.

How Rosenberg Is Making the Shift

Switching to alternative sources is a complex, multi-year effort. Key elements typically include:

Surface water supplies: Contracts or regional partnerships to bring treated surface water into the system.
Treatment and delivery: Upgrades to water treatment plants, pump stations, and transmission lines so surface water can flow reliably to homes and businesses.
Blending and quality management: Mixing groundwater and surface water to maintain consistent taste, mineral content, and quality as the system transitions.
Monitoring and controls: Advanced meters, sensors, and SCADA systems to track usage, flows, and water quality in real time.

While the buildout is technical, the goal is simple: a resilient, cost-effective supply that protects our aquifers and meets regional standards.

What This Means for Residents and Businesses

Shifting 60% of supply to alternative sources affects the community in several ways. Most impacts are positive, but they come with changes we should understand.

Stable long-term supply: With more sources in the mix, Rosenberg becomes less vulnerable to aquifer declines and drought impacts on groundwater. Diversification reduces risk.
Infrastructure upgrades: You may notice ongoing construction or periodic service notices as the city connects new mains, upgrades plants, or performs quality testing during the transition.
Water quality adjustments: Surface water can taste slightly different from groundwater. Utilities manage blending and treatment to keep quality consistent, and any noticeable changes are typically temporary and safe.
Regulatory compliance: Meeting the 2025 milestone helps avoid penalties and supports eligibility for funding, grants, and favorable financing for future upgrades.
Cost outlook: Building and operating new facilities does cost money. The city works to spread costs over time and pursue external funding. Conservation by customers helps delay or reduce future capacity expansions, which helps manage rates.

Bottom line: you should expect reliable water service during and after the transition, with occasional notices about construction, flushing, or taste adjustments as the system adapts.

Environmental and Community Benefits

Reducing groundwater pumping delivers benefits that go beyond compliance:

Less land subsidence: Lower groundwater withdrawals help stabilize ground levels, reducing strain on roads, pipelines, and building foundations—and reducing flood risk in low-lying areas.
Healthier aquifers: Allowing aquifers time to recover supports long-term water security, keeping wells viable for emergencies and future needs.
Ecosystem protection: Balanced water management supports wetlands and connected surface water systems that depend on stable groundwater levels.
Climate resilience: A diversified water portfolio helps the city respond to droughts, floods, and population growth with fewer disruptions.

These benefits compound. As Rosenberg keeps groundwater use in check, we lower infrastructure damage risk and protect public investment in streets, utilities, and drainage.

How the City Ensures Water Quality

Any shift in source water comes with a focus on safety and quality. Utilities follow state and federal standards and adjust treatment to keep water safe and consistent:

Enhanced treatment processes tailored to surface water (e.g., optimized coagulation, filtration, and disinfection).
Routine sampling for taste, odor, and regulatory parameters like disinfectant residuals, turbidity, pH, hardness, and potential contaminants.
System flushing and valve exercising to move new water through older mains, improving clarity and taste.
Clear communication through boil-water notices (if ever required), maintenance advisories, and annual water quality reports.

If you notice a temporary change in taste or color, it’s often due to system flushing or source blending. In most cases, it clears quickly. When in doubt, check city advisories.

Your Role: Simple Ways Residents Can Help

Residents play a big part in making the 60% conversion successful and affordable. Every gallon you save reduces the strain on new infrastructure and keeps costs manageable.

Fix leaks fast: A dripping faucet can waste more than 2,000 gallons a year. A running toilet can waste far more.
Upgrade fixtures: WaterSense-labeled showerheads, faucets, and toilets cut indoor use without sacrificing performance.
Rethink irrigation: Water lawns early morning or late evening, adjust sprinkler schedules seasonally, and use drip irrigation for beds and trees. Consider native or drought-tolerant landscaping that needs less water.
Use a hose nozzle: Shutoff nozzles save water when washing cars or cleaning driveways. Better yet, sweep instead of spray.
Install smart controllers: Weather-based irrigation controllers adjust automatically after rain and during cooler months.
Capture rain: Rain barrels and cisterns are great for gardens and trees, reducing potable water use outdoors.
Know your bill and meter: Track monthly use, and watch for sudden spikes that may signal a leak.

Small changes across thousands of homes equal big savings—often millions of gallons per month during peak season.

How Businesses and Institutions Can Support the Plan

Commercial and institutional users can make a major impact while cutting operating costs:

Conduct water audits: Identify high-use processes and retrofit with efficient equipment.
Maintain cooling towers: Optimize cycles of concentration, fix drift, and consider non-potable sources where allowed.
Retrofit restrooms: High-efficiency toilets, urinals, faucets, and pre-rinse spray valves pay back fast.
Manage landscaping: Convert to native plants, improve soil with compost, and use smart irrigation.
Monitor and train: Install sub-metering for major uses and train staff to spot and report leaks.

Many utilities offer rebates or technical guidance—check city resources for current programs.