Water

Water conservation and lawn and garden irrigation are not mutually exclusive. Because clay soil is common in this area, irrigation plays an important role in how it is watered. Clay soil holds water efficiently but needs slow and infrequent watering cycles to prevent runoff. In yards, setting your lawn mower blades higher can help to facilitate deeper roots. You should only mow 1/3rd of a leaf blade each mowing (example, if grass is 3” tall, you should cut no shorter than 2”).

In gardens, grouping drought-tolerant plants with similar water requirements together makes it easier to avoid overwatering. Sloped gardens respond better to drip irrigation systems to get a more even watering for plants in upper and lower regions of the garden.

There are several factors that should be considered if you are using an irrigation system of any kind that could result in excessive water consumption and costs and lost water due to broken and leaking systems. Proper irrigation and watering techniques are essential to conservation during peak periods of rain and lengthy conditions of drought. Spray irrigation may work on a sloped garden or lawn but requires a special water distribution strategy to prevent water from flowing rapidly downhill. In general, different types of irrigation systems have varying expenses, however, you should also consider the costs of water needed with different types of systems. For example, a spray system with a low use efficiency loses 35%-50% of its water due to runoff, wind blowing spray off of the intended area, and evaporation. Alternatively, a drip irrigation system applies water directly to the soil. By incorporating and blending these aspects of comprehensive lawn care strategy: initiate periodic water “reviews” of your irrigation system, give thoughtful consideration to the cultivation components of your lawn and garden, and incorporate a meaningful combination of managing operational elements to relate to environmental elements, water waste can be minimized while promoting a more resilient and healthier landscapes.

WATER FOG, WIND DRIFT & EVAPORATION

While watering grass with a sprinkler system, a fog may appear over the landscape. This is an indication of a problem. What is happening is that pressure is too high in your system for the sprinklers and/or wind is evaporating water as it emerges into the air rather than landing on the ground. Another indication of wind drift is finding water on the sidewalk and street beyond the lawn. Up to 50% of the water intended for the lawn may be lost if pressure is not properly managed.

Evaporation is a key component of water loss. Before reaching the ground, water turns to vapor in the air. Wind drift, daytime watering, and high temperatures are the major culprits.

TIMELY WATERING

To conserve water and avoid usage during peak time, it is suggested to water before dawn (ideally 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Watering mid-day – afternoon increases the amount of evaporation loss in a system due to warmer temperatures. Beware that watering in the evening may lead to a higher risk of disease in grass and vegetation, as plant leaves do not have the proper time to dry completely. This creates an environment that gives rise to fungus development.

DON’T IRRIGATE WHEN IT’S RAINING

What!!?? Turn off the irrigation system when it is raining; there is no need for it. Some systems have detectors that automatically register rain and do not activate during rainfall.

DEEP PERCOLATION

Deep percolation is when water infiltrates the soil beyond the root zone and therefore, becomes unavailable to vegetation. Overwatering causes deep percolation and is often the result of incorrect timing of irrigation. Long run times on an irrigation system can cause this. It is preferable to have your system set to run with multiple shorter runtimes than a long soak (which also creates a significant amount of runoff).

SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND LEAKS

Proper care of an irrigation system is vital to preventing water loss. Conserve water by maintaining the system and repairing broken pipes and sprinkler heads and missing parts.

RUNOFF

It is devastating to homeowners and MUDs to see water waste due to runoff. It is a very visible indicator of water waste. When water does not penetrate the ground area it was intended to irrigate, its flow reaches impenetrable areas such as storm sewers, sidewalks, streets, and ultimately ends up in your drainage system of ponds or channels.

Runoff is a clear indicator of overwatering areas where the ground cannot absorb the water quickly. As mentioned above, the short cycle and soak irrigation method (rather than a continuous run time), improvement of soil quality and landscape alterations are just a few ways to alleviate water due to runoff.

Quite often, FBMUD 47 sees water standing in backslope swales (which leads to the larger drainage channel) when there has been no significant rain. This water is most often caused by the overflow from homeowner yards bordering the channels. If improper irrigation continues, this water continuously drains into the area and never completely dries up unless the irrigation issue is resolved.

Runoff can also be a major source of pollution. Water freely flowing from maintained areas often carries a wide variety of pollutants including pet waste, lawn clippings, dirt, bacteria and chemicals. Ingredients in pesticides and fertilizers, particularly nitrate, can penetrate soil and over time can even cause larger issues with groundwater.

CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION

The proper use of irrigation systems and other watering methods we use are one way we can prevent water waste. Water conservation is a responsibility of every resident and organization within a community. If you use an irrigation system, you should consider the impact and effect of timing, using the cycle and soak method, determining the correct amount of water, using resources to track weather, and soil preparation to better conserve water. You can also choose specific landscape options to conserve waters such as grouping plants with similar water needs and choosing drought tolerant and native plants, mulching, mowing with raised lawn mowers, and reducing sloping of yards and gardens.

There are a multitude of various website resources on irrigation and conservation. Water My Yard (watermyyard.org) is a program in specific areas that collects weather data to provide free weekly watering advice. See additional information on fbmud47.org for other conservation suggestions. https://www.fbmud47.org/whereyourirrigationgoes

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://www.fbmud47.org