The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) was created in 1937 to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River Basin. Over time, SJRA has developed operating divisions to serve the needs of its diverse customer base.  Currently SJRA has five operating divisions: Lake Conroe Division, The Woodlands Division, Groundwater Reduction Plan water treatment plant, Highlands Division, and the Flood Management Division.  Each operating division sets its own budget and its own rate for goods and services. 

It is a common misconception that the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is a taxing entity.  SJRA does not have taxing authority nor does it receive funds from the Texas Legislature.  Like other river authorities, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is a wholesale provider.  Our wholesale customers, such as industries and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), pass along our rates to their own retail customers.   

SJRA is funded solely through contracts with its wholesale customers to provide goods and services.  Our budget process begins in January and goes through the summer.  Our rates are presented to and must be approved by customer committees and our own board of directors.  We welcome input in the process.  There are various ways to provide input.

Budget Process:

The SJRA plans a budget and sets rates every fiscal year (September 1st – August 31st). In preparation for this year’s budget process, SJRA is gathering input.

There are several ways to provide comment on the budget process:

1. In-Person during Public Comment Period at one of the following SJRA Board of Directors meetings. Board meetings are open to the public and held at SJRA General & Administrative Offices, 1577 Dam Site Road, Conroe, Texas. 

• March 25, 2021
• April 22, 2021
• May 27, 2021
• June 24, 2021
• July 22, 2021

The SJRA Board of Directors receives information and approves all SJRA budgets.

More information including a detailed agenda can be found at www.sjra.net

1. In-Person during Public Comment Period at one of the following SJRA Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Review Committee meetings. GRP Review Committee meetings are open to the public and held at SJRA GRP Operations Building, 11998 Pine Valley Drive, Conroe, Texas. 

• March 22, 2021
• April 19, 2021
• May 24, 2021

The SJRA GRP Review Committee receives information and votes to recommend approval of the GRP’s operating budget, surface water rates, and groundwater pumpage rates.

More information including a detailed agenda can be found at www.sjra.net/grp/meetings.

1. Virtually at one of the Woodlands Water Agency (WWA) Trustee meetings. WWA Trustee Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month online.  

• WWA is the central management agency for ten of the eleven MUDs serving The Woodlands. WWA is a retail water provider, or who end users receive their bill from. SJRA is contracted by WWA as the wholesale provider that provides water and wastewater services to the MUDs. WWA and SJRA are partners in the water and wastewater infrastructure throughout The Woodlands. 

• The WWA Trustees receive information regarding the SJRA Woodlands Division budget and rates for wastewater treatment and wholesale water supply.

For additional information on WWA Trustee Meetings please visit their website at: https://woodlandswater.org/. 

1. Email your comments to: [email protected]. 

Please visit our website to learn more about “What’s in my rate?” https://www.sjra.net/rates/

Rates and Fees:

SJRA does not have taxing authority nor does it receive funds from the Texas Legislature. SJRA is funded solely through contracts with its wholesale customers to provide goods and services. SJRA and its wholesale customers have adopted the following rates for fiscal year 2021 (September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021):

Raw Water: $0.495 per 1,000 gallons 

Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP): 

• Groundwater Pumpage: $2.73 per 1,000 gallons
• Surface Water: $3.15 per 1,000 gallons
• Import Fee: $2.73 per 1,000 gallons of water 

Woodlands:

• Wholesale Water Supply Rate: $2.26 per 1,000 gallons of treated water
• Wholesale Waste Disposal Service Rate: $4.62 per 1,000 gallons of raw wastewater received from customers

Lake Conroe Fees:

SJRA’s Lake Conroe Division manages the resources of the Lake Conroe dam and water supply reservoir on behalf of the City of Houston. Lakeside residents, businesses, marinas, and on-water businesses need permits to comply with state safety and construction standards as well as Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on-site sewage facility regulations (OSSFs). To learn more about applicable fees and how to submit payments, please visit https://www.sjra.net/lakeconroe/payments/. 

One of the major river authorities in Texas, SJRA’s mission is to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin.  Covering all or part of seven counties, the organization’s jurisdiction includes the entire San Jacinto River watershed, excluding Harris County.  For additional information on SJRA visit our website at www.sjra.net, like SJRA on Facebook @SanJacintoRiverAuthority, or follow us on Twitter @SJRA_1937, or find us on Instagram @SanJacintoRiverAuthoritySJRA.