CONROE, Texas – After years of back-and-forth and courtroom battles, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and the City of Conroe have finally reached an agreement that leaders say will benefit everyone in the community.
On Friday, the SJRA board of directors voted unanimously to approve a settlement with Conroe, ending a long-running dispute over water rates. The Conroe City Council had already given the green light the day before.
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The disagreement started back in 2016, when Conroe pushed back against rising water rates set by the SJRA as part of a plan to reduce how much groundwater the city uses. Since then, the issue has been tied up in legal battles, with money held in escrow and both sides racking up legal fees.
What’s changing now?
With the new agreement, Conroe will pay what it owes from the past few years and start paying the current rates for water from Lake Conroe and for using groundwater. In exchange, the SJRA will give Conroe more surface water, shorten the city’s contract from 80 years to 40 years, and drop any penalties or extra fees from the past.
The deal also makes it clear that Conroe doesn’t have to join in on any future expansions of the water treatment plant if it doesn’t want to.
What does this mean for residents?
For people living in Conroe and nearby areas, this settlement is expected to bring some real benefits. With the lawsuit over, both sides will save on legal costs, which means water rates should go down for everyone involved in the plan. That’s good news for families and businesses who have seen their water bills go up in recent years.
The agreement also gives Conroe more flexibility and security when it comes to planning for the future. With access to more water and a shorter contract, the city can better support its growing population and keep up with new development.
SJRA general manager Aubrey Spear said, “Putting this litigation behind us is best for everyone. With Conroe’s payment and savings on legal fees, the wholesale water rates will go down. Ending the litigation also strengthens our partnership with Conroe to continue supplying water to its growing population.”
Conroe city administrator Gary Scott called the deal “truly beneficial to both parties,” adding, “Securing additional water is critical to Conroe’s economic growth and long-term vitality. This agreement represents a shared commitment to the betterment of us all.”
The paperwork is still being finalized, but both sides say this is a fresh start—and a big step forward for the community.
For Conroe residents, it means more stable water rates, less uncertainty, and a stronger partnership between the city and the SJRA.