Houston-area suburbs are growing fast — and their water supplies may not be keeping up, writes Sam González Kelly in the Houston Chronicle. Cities like Conroe and Magnolia are feeling the strain on their water infrastructure, prompting officials to issue building moratoriums to slow their growth.
The problem, Kelly explains, is less about supply and more about infrastructure. In May 2024, Conroe’s water levels dropped so low the city issued its first ever boil-water notice. “With the water system at a breaking point and no quick fixes at hand, Conroe had no choice but to enact the building moratorium on the north side of the city.” Unlike other cities, Conroe doesn’t charge developer impact fees to help pay for new infrastructure, though officials are now considering them…