The San Jacinto River Authority will increase water fees by 7 percent for members of its Groundwater Reduction Plan starting Sept. 1.

GRP Division Manager Mark Smith said the GRP, which includes residents of Conroe, was created by the SJRA to use Lake Conroe water to provide surface water to residents in an effort to reduce groundwater usage. The plan came about in 2009 after the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District mandated all large utility groups in the county reduce groundwater pumpage to 64,000 acre feet per year.

The fee is being increased because less revenue has been generated from surface water sales than projected, Smith said. The fee is paid by residents through line item added to their monthly water bills.

“Issues have caused the need for an increase [in rates],” Smith said. “Our projected water demands—water we thought would be used—has been less in reality than what we projected.”

As a result, the fee for groundwater will go from $2.32 to $2.50 per 1,000 gallons. The surface water fee will go from $2.51 to $2.69 per 1,000 gallons.

On Aug. 16, however, Conroe City Council unanimously voted to refuse to pay the increased fees and is calling upon the SJRA to indefinitely suspend implementation of any proposed fee increase. The city of Conroe also has an ongoing lawsuit against the LSGCD regarding groundwater regulations.

“After meeting with the SJRA to discuss our differences, I asked that they do not move forward with their 18-cent rate increase for at least six months to give us time to complete our new water study,” Conroe Mayor Toby Powell said. “Unfortunately, my desire seems to have fallen on deaf ears.”

According to the city’s resolution, officials believe the LSGCD and the SJRA are working together to create a system that forces municipalities and water providers to pay for the $479.8 million surface water plant on Lake Conroe built by the SJRA.

“Although I hope to continue working toward a better line of communication, we must do what we consider to be in the best interest for the citizens of Conroe,” Powell said.