Conroe City Council has approved a $30 monthly water fee for apartment residents to raise nearly $6 million for urgent water infrastructure needs and is considering a 120-day construction moratorium in the northern city to prevent potential water shortages.
CONROE—The Conroe City Council has unanimously approved a $30 monthly water fee for both new and existing apartment residents. This fee is intended to generate nearly $6 million for the city's urgent infrastructure requirements. The levy is scheduled to be implemented on October 1.
In response to the city of Conroe's increasing water concerns, the council has proposed a 120-day construction moratorium for the northern region of the city. At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, a special meeting has been scheduled to debate the proposed moratorium further and potentially approve it.
"We are facing significant challenges with our water infrastructure, particularly in the northern region of Conroe," according to Mayor Czajkoski.
The mayor reiterated that this fee will provide the necessary funds to resolve these issues and ensure that our water supply can meet the demands of our expanding population.
The city's water infrastructure is anticipated to be upgraded and maintained, and the $30 levy is expected to generate an annual revenue of approximately $5.8 million. The funds will fund projects such as the construction of new water wells, the enhancement of water treatment facilities, and the replacement of antiquated pipelines.
City Councilmember Duane Ham emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to resolve the water challenges that exist. "This fee will help us make the necessary investments to secure a reliable water supply for our residents and businesses."
Council members endorsed the interim building moratorium in the northern region of the city during a workshop meeting in August, which led to the decision to implement the water fee.
The proposed moratorium aims to prevent a potential water shortage by stopping new development until the city has completed the construction of numerous new water wells.
"We are committed to safeguarding our residents by ensuring that the water pressure and supply do not deteriorate to an unacceptably low level," stated Nancy Mikeska, the assistant city administrator and director of community development.
This is proactive measure to ensure that our water infrastructure can benefit both current and future residents.
The council will conduct a second public hearing at 6 p.m. on September 12 before taking action on the moratorium.
The moratorium would not apply to Panorama Village, the April Sound subdivision, or Montgomery County Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) No. 3 and No. 4. If it were to be approved, this exemption would affect a portion of northern Conroe.
As Conroe expands, the city is making significant strides to resolve its water issues and guarantee a sustainable future for its citizens.
