The San Jacinto River Authority provided an update regarding changes to pump limits and the effect of subsidence to The Woodlands board of directors during an Aug. 26 board meeting.

SJRA General Manager Jace Houston provided the update to the board, saying despite tracking some fault movement of up to half an inch along a fault line near The Woodlands High School, the pipe located there is not under risk, which can largely be attributed to managing pumpage and water level decline in the area.

“We have seen fault movement slow to nearly a stop,” Houston said. “It would be nice if we can continue to do that.”

Houston also presented long-term strategies that are currently being suggested to keep up with the increasing demands of Montgomery County as a whole.

For the time being, Houston said the SJRA is primarily using groundwater in the area without having to reserve water owned by other entities.

"Those water supplies require an ongoing investment to preserve the supplies so they are available when you need them,” Houston said. “The city of Houston is not just going to sit on the water and hold it for some day when Montgomery County is ready for it. You have to pay a reservation fee.”

Houston added the municipal utility districts around The Woodlands have remained partners with the SJRA to reserve future supplies of water.

The Woodlands board Chair Gordy Bunch said the board's ask was to speak with Lone Star Groundwater District board to discuss the pumping rate and the effect it is having on subsidence in the area.

“There has to be a more conscious level of the pumping put out there,” Bunch said.

The board unanimously approved to accept the report presented by Houston. No further action was taken on the matter.