3rd Quarter Newsletter
August 27, 2025
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Wellborn SUD Newsletter – August 2025
Providing Safe, Reliable Water to Our Community
Dear Wellborn SUD Customers,
Thank you for staying engaged and informed as we continue working to provide reliable, high-quality water service across our growing district. This month’s newsletter brings you updates on newly approved rates, key infrastructure investments, and a new study to enable growth to pay its fair share.
Rate Increases Approved: Investing in Reliability
The Wellborn SUD Board of Directors has approved rate adjustments which will become effective October 1st and will be reflected in your November bill. These changes are the result of a formal cost-of-service study and will fund necessary upgrades to ensure your water remains safe, reliable, and sustainable.
We’ve communicated throughout this process via public meetings, town halls, and newsletters. These new rates reflect the true cost of service and are essential to keep pace with rising infrastructure and supply costs.
Click here for full details on the new rate structure.
Quick Facts:
- Rates are set based on actual system costs and legal requirements.
- Revenue supports capital projects like new wells, pipelines, and treatment capacity.
- Our tiered rate structure continues to reward low-use and conservation-minded households.
Project Spotlight: 2026 Water Supply Project Is Underway
We are advancing the largest capital improvement in Wellborn SUD’s history—the 2026 Water Supply Project—which will secure additional groundwater capacity, reduce our reliance on emergency sources, and meet growing demand.
Current Status:
- Water Supply Wells: Construction of the well field begins this year. The project is fully designed and ready for implementation.
- Treatment and Storage Facilities: Bids for these projects will be opened on September 11th.
- Pipelines: Seeking approval from the State of Texas for the sale of bonds after which the project will be bid.
Why This Matters:
- Prevents summer supply interruptions by giving us independent water sourcing.
- Maintains regional interconnections—but shifts from reliance to resilience.
- Responds to growth with smart, scalable infrastructure.
While costs have risen nationwide, delaying this project would only increase expenses later. We’re building for today and tomorrow.
New Impact Fee Study: Fairness for All Customers
We’ve heard your concerns: Is new growth driving my rates up? To answer that question clearly and fairly, we’ve hired an independent firm to conduct a water impact fee study—a structured process under Texas law to determine the true cost of serving new development. We will continue to keep you updated–please be patient as there have been legislative changes to this process that we will be working through.
This study will examine the current fee structure and recommend any changes needed so that new customers pay an appropriate share of system costs. Remember, developers are required to pay for their own site-specific infrastructure including water lines and fire hydrants.
What’s Involved:
- Public hearings, engineering assessments, and financial modeling.
- Transparent review by a Capital Improvements Advisory Committee.
- Legal compliance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395.
As a utility, we’re legally required to provide service within our boundaries. But we’re equally committed to making sure our fee structure is fair—and this study is a key step in that process. We’ll take a deeper dive into this study and how state law outlines the parameters of impact fees in a future newsletter.
Every Drop Counts: Rain or Shine
Even during a rainy summer, water conservation is essential. Why? Because smart water use helps delay costly expansions, protects long-term supply, and keeps bills lower over time.
Here’s how to make a difference:
- Log into your customer portal to track water usage.
- Let nature do the watering—turn off irrigation systems after rain.
- Fix indoor and outdoor leaks, and inspect timers and sprinklers.
A wetter summer doesn’t mean waste is okay. It means we have an opportunity to save even more—rain or shine.
Thank You for Being Part of the Wellborn SUD Community
We’re committed to transparency, service, and sustainable growth. Your feedback and engagement make us stronger—and help us deliver on our promise of safe, reliable water for every customer.
Sincerely,
Wellborn Special Utility District Board & Staff
