Council authorizes interlocal with Harris‑Galveston Subsidence District for water‑conservation education; vote 5‑1

Friendswood City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Harris‑Galveston Subsidence District to participate in the district’s water conservation school program (Water Lab) for the 2025–26 school year. The motion passed 5‑1.

City Manager Murad explained the rationale: under the subsidence district’s rules, municipalities that exceed groundwater use thresholds face a disincentive fee; educational programs and conservation activities can generate credits that protect a municipality from some penalties and help preserve the city’s credit balance for emergency use. "The 2025 fee is $12.12 per thousand gallons," staff noted during the discussion.

A council member in opposition said they were concerned about non‑district curricular materials entering schools and expressed a preference that school districts control curriculum. The same council member also voiced a broader objection to limitations on private groundwater collection, citing property‑rights concerns.

Why it matters: The agreement allows the city to participate in a program that both educates students about conservation and accrues conservation credits the city can use if emergency well use is required. Murad said the city maintains both permanent and temporary credits, and that credits act like an insurance policy in case additional groundwater use is necessary.

Council action: The interlocal agreement was approved 5‑1. The lone dissenting vote objected on grounds of curriculum intrusion and property‑rights concerns.

Ending: Staff will execute the interlocal agreement and coordinate with schools on program scheduling and credit reporting to the subsidence district.