Conroe City Council to consider temporary development moratorium due to water issues

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify which areas of Conroe would be affected by the temporary development moratorium.

During its Aug. 21 workshop meeting, Conroe City Council will discuss an ordinance implementing a temporary development moratorium due to water scarcity.

In a nutshell

The purpose of the temporary moratorium is to reduce water usage, according to the ordinance. The affected areas would include the northern portion of Conroe but exclude Panorama Village, the April Sound subdivision and the Montgomery County Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) No. 3 and No. 4.

The temporary moratorium would last for 120 days after implementation, unless repealed sooner, renewed or extended, according to the ordinance.

Because the city is facing significant historical growth, the city’s water supply is currently insufficient to support additional growth, according to the ordinance.

Diving in deeper

If the moratorium is not enacted, "it is very likely that next summer, even with strictly enforce[d] irrigation limits, we will have substandard pressure during the summer of 2025,” states Exhibit A in the Aug. 21 agenda packet.

According to the ordinance, exceptions to the moratorium would include:

• Projects that do not impact water capacity
• Ongoing projects
• Projects that are grandfathered
• Property owners with a negotiated approval granted by City Council

Some context

Conroe city officials first warned City Council about diminishing water capacity in April, Community Impact previously reported. During a May 22 workshop meeting, city officials said around $50 million is needed to fund the water infrastructure needed.

At its June 13 meeting, City Council approved instituting irrigation restrictions between May-October, according to prior reporting.

Stay tuned

The ordinance will be brought forth to council during its Aug. 21 workshop meeting and must be read twice before passed and approved, according to the ordinance.

View the proposed ordinance below.