North Texas Municipal Water District outlines multi‑decade supply plan and presses for stronger conservation

North Texas Municipal Water District officials told the Richardson City Council on June 16 that rapid regional growth and unpredictable reservoir supplies mean the district will pursue a broad portfolio of new water sources while expanding conservation programs.

The briefing, delivered by Janet Covington and staff including Billy George (water supply planning), Jean Chipperfield (chief financial officer) and Alex Johnson (conservation), laid out short‑ and long‑term projects the district says are needed to maintain supply reliability as demand grows. The district said members should expect costs and rates to rise because capital investment to expand pipelines, treatment and reuse facilities is the primary driver of higher bills.

Why this matters: Richardson is a member of the wholesale district and pays for raw water and regional services through its wholesale contract. The district’s plan affects the city’s water budget and rate forecasts; council members pressed staff for more detail on near‑term supply, conservation returns and timelines for contingency projects.

District priorities and projects - The district plans to devote “more than a billion dollars” to water infrastructure next year, Chipperfield said. Major near‑term projects named in the presentation include expansions at the Leonard Water Treatment Plant, pipelines to bring more Lake Texoma water to Leonard, a final plant expansion at the Wylie complex, a new raw water intake at Lake Lavon and the new Sister…