WSUD Town Hall Summary
April 26, 2025 | Wellborn Community Center
Event Overview
Thank you to all who attended the Wellborn Special Utility District (WSUD) Town Hall.
We appreciated the opportunity to update the community on the state of our utility, the challenges we face, and our plans to secure a clean, reliable water future.
Key Discussion Points
- Growth and Demand: WSUD now serves over 10,000 customers across a 260+ square mile area, with growth of 2-3% per year and potential for the customer base to double within the next decade.
- Infrastructure Status: Our system includes nearly 600 miles of pipeline, multiple wells, and a surface water plant. We currently rely heavily on our partnerships with Bryan and College Station, especially in the summer. Although we recently doubled our storage capacity with a new elevated storage tank, we need to expand our production to continue growing.
- Water Supply Project: Originally estimated at $45M, the supply project costs have increased to approximately $75M due to inflation and material/labor shortages. The project has been delayed by regulatory reviews but is ready for bidding once final approvals are received.
- Regional Water Competition: External demands on our aquifer could significantly reduce local groundwater availability, requiring costly alternative sourcing and infrastructure modifications.
- Financial Planning: Funding has been secured for the original project scope. Additional financing strategies are being explored to meet the updated cost estimates. Any necessary future rate adjustments will be carefully evaluated after project bids are received.
Community Guidance and Conservation
We emphasized the importance of wise water use, particularly irrigation management, to help sustain our resources and manage costs. Simple steps like adjusting sprinkler systems and considering drought-tolerant landscaping can make a big difference.
Visit our Landscape Irrigation Education page for details on water-efficient best practices for your sprinkler systems.
What's Next
- Final project bids expected by Summer 2025
- Board decisions on construction implementation strategies
- Continuous monitoring of regional water issues and regulatory developments
- Continued transparency and communication with customers
Stay Engaged
We encourage all customers to stay informed by visiting www.wellbornsud.com and signing up for WSUD alerts as well as following us on social media. Your feedback, understanding, and conservation efforts are critical to our collective success.
IMPORTANT! In our drive to improve communication we are implementing some new services that will require updated contact information to work properly. Please update the contact information we have on file for you, especially your mobile phone and email address, by calling 979-690-9799 or filling out a ticket on our contact us page.
Wellborn SUD – Water Supply Project & System FAQ
Updated April 2025
1. Why isn't the new Water Supply Project completed yet?
The project was intended to be operational by June 2024. Although fully designed and funded in 2022, it has been delayed due to prolonged regulatory reviews at the federal and state levels. We are now waiting for final approval to open the project for bids.
2. Why has the estimated project cost risen from $45 million to $75 million?
Primarily due to COVID-19 impacts, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, construction costs have nearly doubled. Material and labor costs industry-wide have increased significantly during the multi-year delay.
3. Why does WSUD continue to allow new service connections during a water shortage?
Our financing plan for the Water Supply Project relies on a growing customer base to manage debt service. Stopping growth would result in significant rate increases for existing customers and harm the local economy by limiting development.
4. Why are WSUD's water rates higher than nearby cities?
It's a question of scale and timing:
- WSUD has fewer meters per mile of pipe compared to urban systems.
- Cities like Bryan and College Station built much of their infrastructure decades ago when costs were lower.
- WSUD is a utility district without taxing authority — our only revenue comes from water bills and impact fees.
5. If a new water tower was built, why do we still have summer watering restrictions?
While the new IGN tower improved storage capacity, our production (supply) remains limited until the new wells and pipeline are completed. Restrictions help ensure we don't exceed our daily pumping capacity, especially during peak summer usage.
6. How is regional water competition affecting WSUD customers?
Large entities are applying to extract water from the Brazos Valley aquifer — potentially withdrawing more than local cities and Texas A&M combined. If approved, this could reduce our groundwater availability to less than 10 years, necessitating costly new water sourcing projects.
7. What steps is WSUD taking to secure our water future?
- Permitting and planning for three new groundwater wells.
- Expanding surface water treatment capacity.
- Building new transmission lines and storage facilities.
- Monitoring regional water policies and advocating for local water rights.
8. Will water rates increase?
Until we receive bids and finalize construction contracts, any rate changes are speculative. WSUD is committed to minimizing customer impact while ensuring a reliable, safe water system for the future.
9. How can I help reduce strain on the water system?
- Use water wisely, especially in outdoor irrigation.
- Program sprinkler systems efficiently (twice-a-week watering is recommended).
- Consider water-efficient landscaping or smart irrigation controllers.
- Stay informed through WSUD updates and alerts.
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