Guided by Science - Driven by Strategy

This year marks a remarkable milestone for the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, five decades of leadership in science-based groundwater management and subsidence prevention. As the first entity of its kind in the nation, HGSD continues to set a gold standard for innovative research, community partnership, and effective regulation.

Programs

Science and Research Program

The Science and Research Program improves the understanding of the groundwater system and the impact of groundwater withdrawal through water use, aquifer data, and land surface data collection. The program utilizes impactful research to ensure the effectiveness of the regulatory plan and involves continuous land surface monitoring using the best available technology.

Water Conservation Grant Program

Since 2019, more than $830,000 in funding has supported local water conservation projects across Harris and Galveston counties. If you are planning a future water conservation project, explore the grant program here.

Water Conservation Program

The Water Conservation School Program provides 3rd-6th grade classrooms in Harris and Galveston counties with quality, age-appropriate water education, along with free water conservation kits. The products in the kit are specifically selected to encourage water efficiency at home and engage families with activities that reinforce the lessons. This program is available at no cost for teachers and students through the generous support of program sponsors.

Above & Beyond

HGSD applies a science-based regulatory framework that identifies guidelines for groundwater withdrawals through a well permitting process and an adaptive management strategy, allowing the regulatory plan to be amended based on the best available data. Additionally, HGSD collaborates closely with local, state, federal, and international organizations to share resources and enhance understanding of water resources, thereby providing sustainable solutions to minimize subsidence beyond their regulatory boundaries.

Planning Group Affiliations

  • Region H Planning Group
  • San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group
  • Lower Brazos Regional Flood Planning Group
  • UNESCO’s Land Subsidence International Initiative

Water Conservation School Program

The Water Conservation School Program provides 3rd-6th grade classrooms in Harris and Galveston counties with quality, age-appropriate water education, along with free water conservation kits. The products in the kit are specifically selected to encourage water efficiency at home and engage families with activities that reinforce the lessons. This program is available at no cost for teachers and students through the generous support of program sponsors.

Strategy & Direction

HGSD continues to build on its strong foundation of science-based groundwater management and subsidence prevention by identifying several key focus areas that will guide future efforts.

Each year, HGSD publishes a report containing the most current information on groundwater withdrawals, water demands, aquifer characteristics, and subsidence data. To view the detailed report, click the icon above.

Groundwater Regulation

HGSD is committed to providing reasonable, effective groundwater regulations through a science-based adaptive management approach outlined in its Regulatory Plan. Beginning in 2025, permittees operating within an approved Groundwater Reduction Plan will reduce their groundwater use to no more than 40% of their total water demand. An additional reduction will take place in 2035, to no more than 20% of total water demand.

Joint Regulatory Plan Review - New Science

HGSD successfully completed its Joint Regulatory Plan Review, which shares the latest population and water demand projections, an alternative water supply assessment, land subsidence and groundwater flow models, and regulatory scenarios to examine variables that are likely to drive future regulatory decisions. The results of this review can be viewed here and additional resources can be found here.

Science & Research

Through its Science & Research Plan, HGSD aims to provide clarity for the scientific, regulatory, and public policy questions that will face the district in the future, while providing a firm foundation for regulatory planning efforts.

Water Conservation

The Water Conservation Plan outlines objectives to lead the region in water conservation, continue regional education on effective conservation and subsidence, expand the program’s reach to target additional water users, align the program with HGSD’s mission and Regulatory Plan, and develop resources to implement and manage the program successfully.

Collaboration

HGSD continues to foster collaboration with local, state, federal, and international organizations to share resources, improve understanding of subsidence, and develop a network dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions free from the impacts of subsidence.

Groundwater Withdrawals by Use

“Better data leads to improved understanding, which ultimately leads to more successful planning. By combining HGSD’s science-based, adaptive management strategy with a commitment to collaboration, we are able to foster a network dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions that are free from the impacts of subsidence.”

– Michael (Mike) J. Turco, General Manager

HGSD takes great pride in the progress already achieved; however, there is still much work to do to prevent further subsidence. As the population of the Texas Gulf Coast grows, the demand for water increases. To ensure a sustainable water future, free from the impacts of subsidence, the HGSD is dedicated to protecting groundwater resources with reasonable and effective regulations backed by the best available science.

Learn more about the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District by visiting their website here.