Conroe gets detailed update on water plants and wells; council urges land acquisition

City staff briefed the Conroe City Council Oct. 9 on progress across the city's water capital program and on property-access steps needed to complete upcoming wells and plants.

Public works director McGuire said Water Plant 29 is substantially complete and will be tested within the distribution system in the coming weeks; Water Plant 30 is 95% complete from the city's perspective but remains dependent on Entergy for electrical service expected in December 2025. Water Plant 32 is under construction and on track for fourth-quarter 2026 completion.

Staff reported that water-well projects are in varied stages: Well No. 6 redrilling is about 50% complete and expected on schedule for April 2026; Well No. 14 redrill work is under way with a target completion of May 2026. Design for Water Plant 33 (a surface-water receiving facility) and Water Plant 34 is underway, but both projects are contingent on access to property and easement acquisition.

Council members, led by Councilwoman Porter and Mayor Pro Tem Wood, urged staff to accelerate land acquisition for future sites and requested a regular update at each council meeting on property-acquisition status. "We need to get into very aggressive land acquisition," a council member said, citing development pressures and limited available parcels.

Staff noted the city anticipates receiving a state funding remittance of about $15 million identified by legislators but had not yet received confirmation. Council members said earlier planning and acquisition would reduce schedule risk for permitting and design.