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Residents and businesses in Fort Bend Municipal Utility District No. 47 (FBMUD47) will see an increase in their Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) fee effective October 1, 2025. Missouri City’s current GRP fee of $1.99 per 1,000 gallons for groundwater users will increase to $2.39 per 1,000 gallons.

This adjustment is a necessary step in addressing land subsidence and ensuring a sustainable water supply for the growing region.

Understanding Your Water Source and the Need for a GRP

The water delivered to FBMUD47 residents and businesses comes from deep underground sources called aquifers, pumped via groundwater wells. While readily available, excessive groundwater withdrawal can lead to a significant environmental challenge: subsidence –the sinking or settling of the ground surface.The Fort Bend region, experiencing rapid population growth and increased development, has seen groundwater extraction outpace the natural replenishment of aquifers through rain and other sources. This imbalance can exacerbate flooding and lead to other adverse impacts.

The Fort Bend Subsidence District and its Mandates

To combat subsidence, the Texas Legislature created the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) in 1989. The FBSD’s primary mission is to regulate groundwater withdrawal, promote water conservation, and encourage the use of alternative water sources within Fort Bend County.

The FBSD has implemented a District Regulatory Plan requiring well owners to:

• Develop a GRP and submit it for approval by 2008.
• Ensure that groundwater comprises no more than 70% of total water used by well owners and their customers starting January 2014.
• Further reduce groundwater use to no more than 40% of total water demand beginning in 2027. (Individual wells serving only one home are exempt from these requirements).

Missouri City’s GRP: A Collaborative Approach

Recognizing that individual water providers might struggle to meet the FBSD mandates independently, the Missouri City Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) was established. This coalition of water providers, including FBMUD47, operates within the City, its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and some neighboring water systems. By working together as a region, the Missouri City GRP can more effectively meet the FBSD’s reduction goals.

How Missouri City’s GRP Reduces Groundwater Use

The cornerstone of the Missouri City GRP’s strategy to reduce groundwater use is the integration of surface water from the Brazos River and Oyster Creek. This involves:

• Purchasing reliable surface water sources from entities holding Brazos River water rights.
• Constructing water plants to treat the surface water.
• Developing a transmission system to deliver the treated water to users.

The City of Missouri City currently purchases Brazos River water from the Gulf Coast Water Authority. A Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant was constructed in 2012 and expanded in 2020 to meet the needs of a growing Missouri City and Sienna, and to comply with FBSD requirements. Additionally, the GRP includes projects for the reuse of water for irrigation, lake amenities, and other purposes.

What is the GRP Pumpage Fee and Why the Increase?

The GRP pumpage fee is a charge levied on groundwater users to help fund the initiatives of the Missouri City GRP. The upcoming increase to $2.63 per 1,000 gallons for groundwater users is necessary to support the ongoing projects and operational costs associated with transitioning to surface water and maintaining the required infrastructure.

These projects include:

• Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant construction and expansion.
• Development of transmission lines.
• Maintenance and operations of facilities.
• Capital Improvement Projects.
• Water reuse projects (utilizing treated water from wastewater plants).

It’s important to note that the Fort Bend Subsidence District imposes a substantial disincentive fee – currently $6.50 per 1,000 gallons – on any well owner not complying with the District Regulatory Plan. By participating in the Missouri City GRP and contributing through the GRP pumpage fee, groundwater users avoid this much higher penalty.

The Difference in Fees and Administrative Costs

While surface water is generally more expensive to procure and treat than groundwater, the GRP fee helps distribute the costs across all water users to maintain a lower overall cost. Groundwater users contribute to surface water costs but at a lower rate than surface water users, as they also pay for groundwater treatment. The difference in fees primarily covers the cost of groundwater treatment.

Water providers, such as FBMUD47, may also add a small administrative cost to the GRP fee to cover expenses related to collection, dispersing, and reporting requirements. FBMUD47’s GRP Fee charged to its customers will increase from $2.19 to $2.63 per 1,000 gallons.

Success of the Missouri City GRP

The Missouri City GRP has proven successful in its mission. It is currently exceeding the 40% groundwater reduction mark mandated by the FBSD for 2027, and additional projects are underway to ensure continued compliance.

The GRP fee increase is a vital component of Missouri City’s long-term water management strategy. By transitioning to surface water sources, the community is proactively addressing land subsidence and securing a reliable water supply for future generations. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the District’s Operator, Municipal District Services at 281-290-6500.

Additional sources of information:

https://www.missouricitytx.gov/documentcenter/view/17654
https://www.missouricitytx.gov/documentcenter/view/17635
https://fbmud47.org

 

Article & Photos by Lauren Svatek
Cartoon by Jerry Cogan

Our communities of Vicksburg Village, Olympia Estates, Lake Shore Harbour, and Dry Creek Village have grown exponentially over several years. Each of these developments were once wooded areas and grassland. They are within the MUD districts of 47 and 48 and include drainage channels and detention ponds serving the communities. Very few wooded areas remain in the area and are likely to be gone within the next few years with continued development. Only Kitty Hollow Park remains as an uninterrupted area for recreation and wildlife habitation.

Wildlife struggles in our urban areas. Over the years, deer and other wildlife have been forced to move to other areas in order to survive or stay and exist in a smaller and smaller habitat. Food, water, shelter and an appropriate habitat are what they need to survive.

People are divided on their feelings about wildlife. Some value it and want to protect it. Some fear it as a threat, nuisance, or menace to their lives and property. Others are indifferent to its presence. Whatever your opinion is, it is necessary to find a way to coexist with the wildlife in our area; our wildlife diversity is one of the great benefits of living in Texas.

Urban growth has put wildlife at a great disadvantage. Compare it to baseball. There are 162 games in a baseball season and great teams will win a majority of their games. However, even the worst of the teams will win games even when competing with the best of teams. Unfortunately, the teams with an abysmal record have no chance of making it to the post season. This is the plight of wildlife in our community. Humans will dominate and wildlife will struggle.

Wildlife provides benefits to our ecosystem. Many urban animals are predators of insect pests. They also provide a check and balance of certain populations of animals that could overrun an area. Remember years when there were too many squirrels? Studies indicate that there is a physical and psychological benefit to humans when they are exposed to wildlife. Along our trails, numerous runners, walkers and dog-walkers comment on different wild animals they see and often take particular paths so that they can see this varied wildlife. 

People are responsible for many of the disadvantages that wildlife faces. Since we have forced the wildlife into a small, compact area, we still intrude upon what they have left by leaving designated trails. We pollute the area with trash and debris. We endanger our own pets by letting them roam free. Outdoor cats cause harm and death to small wild animals and birds. Dogs should never be off leash. Both domesticated and wild animals can clash when not properly supervised by their owners. Careless and negligent fishing harms and kills wildlife. All fishing requires a license and proper tagging of fishing lines. Keep in mind that wildlife prefers to be left alone and everyone should keep their distance. 

A conversation with one of our Texas Parks and Wildlife–Fort Bend County Game Wardens provided some perspective on the human versus wildlife situation. He provided a number of suggestions to help people coexist with wildlife and provide protection of our wildlife along our trails.

ALLIGATORS – Alligators are a protected species. Feeding, injuring, or harassing alligators is a punishable offense. Game Wardens will assist in determining if an alligator is a nuisance. If you are concerned about an alligator located in a drainage channel or detention pond, please contact the Game Warden via the information below. The drainage channels and detention ponds are habitats for the alligators, and they do not pose a danger by merely existing there. Although I have no photos of this incident, I have cut an alligator loose from a fishing line from which he could not escape. Another example of how we impact wildlife without proper consideration.

FISH AND TURTLES – Fish and turtles are not protected unless they are a particular endangered species. Fishing is allowed in the channels with a fishing license and following all regulations for setting lines. It is best to keep in mind that what you put into the water may have effects beyond your intention. Photos show a turtle that I rescued off an illegal line. It was drowning in the water, because it could not move onto the bank. I had to cut a hook out of its mouth and hoped it would survive. There is a variety of fish in the channel including various types of gar. During Hurricane Harvey floods, alligator gars were seen in the channel. 

BIRDS – There is a wide variety of birds along our channels. According to the Game Warden, the majority of birds are protected. A walk on the trail on any day, there may be a great blue heron, spoon bills, raptors, and ducks just to name a few. As seen in the photos, humans impact the birds. I released a great blue heron (a large and majestic bird) from a fishing line with instructions on what to do by a Game Warden. It was able to walk away into the trees after it was released. Another way we impact the birds is with our trash as seen in the photo of the duck with her ducklings next to paper trash.

COYOTES – The coyotes that have appeared along our trails have sparked a lot of conversation. Many people have very particular opinions about the animals. Much of what has been expressed is fear of them and retaliation against them along with a more tempered demonstration of fascination and appreciation. Per our local Game Warden, coyotes are not protected, but are unlikely to leave their habitat to venture into our neighborhoods. They have existed in this wooded area for more years than I have lived here and fluctuated in numbers over all those years. I mentioned that we used to also see bobcats in the same area but thought they might be gone. He said that they are probably still there, they are just not seen. There are many animals in those trees that we may not know exist at all. Here are some of the Game Warden’s tips regarding coyotes in the area:

• Attempt NO interaction with them at all and they most likely will never cross into the neighborhood.
• Keep trash cans covered and pets indoors.
• Do not leave food outdoors for any animals.
• Under NO circumstances should individuals take it upon themselves to capture or kill the animals while on the trail.

If you are concerned about a coyote in the area, please contact the Game Warden via the information below.

This article has highlighted many of the animals on our trails. Not all are included such as deer, raccoons, rabbits and others. There is a great amount of wildlife just outside our door to appreciate and enjoy—from a distance. Also, Kitty Hollow Park is just a walk or drive away where these same animals reside.

Below are some wildlife resources:

• Article written in 2021 and available on the District’s website, “The Wild Alligators Among Us”.
• Article in the Summer 2023 Vicksburg Voice on “Please Leave the Wildlife Alone”.
• The Texas Parks and Wildlife June 2023 article, “Alligators—More Than Just a Pretty Smile” which you can find and subscribe to here. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/bulletins/360dd35.

If you capture some photos while out on the trail of animals or plants or water, please share with me at lsvatek@fbmud47.org. Some photos may be suitable for our trail photo gallery, and you will be contacted if considered. (Photos need to be taken with your phone horizontally and sent in actual size by email.) Happy Trails!

To Report incidents, concerns, or disturbances regarding wildlife along the trail:

TX Game Warden Law Enforcement Offices, Austin TX
Dispatch Center: (512)389-4848
The local Game Warden will be contacted with the report.