The Houston Public Works Department is seeking $15 billion to fund a new water treatment plant and critical wastewater system upgrades, warning that failure to act could result in a “catastrophic failure,” according to Houston Public Media.
Greg Eyerly, Director of Houston Water, underscored the urgency of the project during a media briefing on Monday at the East Water Purification Plant, a 70-year-old facility essential to the city’s water supply.
“This treatment plant feeds the heart of Houston, so Houstonians depend on this water,” Eyerly said, highlighting its role in supplying water to key industries, including the Port of Houston’s petrochemical sector and the Texas Medical Center. “If we have a catastrophic failure … it would have a regional and national impact.”
Houston Water currently serves over 5 million people, with the East Water Purification Plant alone supplying 2.2 million residents. However, securing funding for the overhaul remains uncertain. Eyerly noted that the department is actively lobbying the Texas Legislature for financial support.
“The more outside assistance we can get—whether state or federal—the less pressure it’ll put on local ratepayers,” he added.
New Plant vs. Renovation
Rebuilding and expanding the East Water Purification Plant is expected to cost over $4 billion. Rather than rehabilitating the aging facility, officials prefer constructing a new plant to avoid prolonged delays seen in similar projects, such as Dallas, where a renovation has taken more than a decade.
“We don’t have that kind of time to wait in Houston,” Eyerly said.
Wastewater System and Leaking Pipes
Beyond water treatment, Houston faces mounting challenges in its wastewater infrastructure. Under a consent decree with state and federal environmental agencies, the city is required to invest $9 billion in wastewater improvements by 2036. So far, $1 billion has been spent, preventing 600+ sewage overflows citywide.
Additionally, the city is requesting $480 million to address its leaking water pipes. Last year, Houston lost 32 billion gallons of water—enough to supply Fort Worth’s entire population. The funding would accelerate repairs, focusing on the 6% of pipes responsible for 60% of water loss.
“We want to fix the worst first,” Eyerly explained.
State Support and Future Water Needs
Given the massive costs, city officials are pursuing state and federal funding. Earlier this year, Mayor John Whitmire confirmed discussions with Governor Greg Abbott about selling Houston’s water to the state for use in drought-stricken West Texas. However, the proposal faces pushback, as experts warn Houston itself could face water shortages by 2030.
Meanwhile, the city is completing a $1.8 billion expansion of the Northeast Water Purification Plant. The project, launched in 2018, will triple the plant’s output and help reduce the region’s reliance on groundwater. The expanded facility is expected to be fully operational by 2025.