The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) is the premier water management and subsidence authority in the Upper Gulf Coast Aquifer in Texas.  HGSD plays an integral role in regional water management strategies to ensure the long-term viability of all water resources while protecting lives and property within the HGSD boundaries from the impacts of subsidence and flooding.

The Water Authority’s primary assignment is to develop and implement a strategy for complying with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District’s Regulatory Plan that requires a reduction in groundwater usage. The Subsidence District’s regulations require conversion to alternate water via a 30% reduction of groundwater usage by 2010, 60% by 2025, and 80% by 2035.

In addition to the cost of purchasing the surface water from the City of Houston, there are shared Projects such as the Luce Bayou Inter Basin Transfer Facility, the Northeast Water Purification Plant expansion and  the Surface Water Supply Distribution System. This includes transmission lines, operations, and maintenance expenses.