The annual Houston City budget process is now underway, with each department presenting its proposed financial plans. This pivotal period sees City Council members engaging in discussions, proposing amendments, and ultimately deciding on the city’s spending for the year. For residents who want to have a say in how their tax dollars are used, especially for essential services like our water systems, engaging in this process is vital. Understanding the profound impact of these budget discussions on Houston’s water future, Bayou City Waterkeeper is actively advocating for the prioritization of these vital resources and for equitable investments in water infrastructure and related services for all residents.
Houston faces complex water challenges stemming from decades of underinvestment in critical infrastructure. As our background research shows, the city has a history of deferred maintenance, a low rate of pipe replacement, and missed opportunities to leverage favorable state and federal funding. These issues have led to tangible consequences like boil water notices, frequent water main breaks, and chronic flooding, disproportionately impacting Black, Brown, and low-income communities. This is why we believe that beyond rate hikes and reactive repairs, Houston needs integrated, long-term water planning. Fragmented approaches simply won’t cut it.
Over the past days, our staff has actively participated in City Hall budget hearings, engaging with the Planning Department, Housing and Community Development Department, and Houston Public Works. We’ve listened, asked tough questions, and submitted public comments to ensure that water concerns are front and center in these crucial decisions. Here’s a summary of our key requests to each department:
Planning and Development Department
- While supporting efficiency planning reviews, we stressed that this must not compromise thorough environmental and flood risk reviews.
- We emphasized the critical importance of investing in accurate and accessible GIS mapping for informed decision-making across city departments.
- We advocated for transparency and equity in all planning decisions, ensuring open communication and equitable outcomes, especially for vulnerable communities.
Housing and Community Development Department
- Regarding the allocation of CDBG-DR24 and core CDBG funds, we strongly urged prioritizing programs that address fundamental needs, particularly comprehensive home repair programs.
- We again called for a dedicated $20 million assistance program for private sewer lateral (PSL) repair or replacement, acknowledging the disproportionate burden on vulnerable homeowners and the impact on long-term recovery.
Houston Public Works
- We advocated for long-term investments in water infrastructure to reduce the strain caused by years of deferred maintenance.
- We highlighted the city’s missed opportunities in utilizing low-interest financing from the Texas Water Development Board and urged the budget to address barriers preventing access to these funds.
- We raised concerns about the increasing debt service in the HPW budget and its potential impact on ratepayers, particularly in light of the East Water Purification Plant’s critical needs and the uncertainty surrounding federal funding like WIFIA.
- We urged the city to maximize other external funding sources to alleviate the burden on residents and preserve essential city services while addressing water infrastructure priorities, such as ditch re-establishment and local drainage programs.
- We demanded full transparency in how water infrastructure projects and KPIs are selected and prioritized, emphasizing the need for a clear, public explanation of the Capital Improvement Plan process and how equity is embedded within it.
- We stressed the need for a proactive, integrated approach to water planning, rejecting short-term fixes in favor of long-term strategies that build equity, resilience, economic stability, and sustainability.
Our advocacy is driven by the understanding that Houston’s water decisions must be open and fair for all. This means transparent communication, equitable outcomes, and a commitment to investing in resilience through proactive water infrastructure development. We firmly believe that by demanding that the City of Houston maximize external water dollars and minimize ratepayer burden, we can build a more resilient water future for everyone.
Holding the City of Houston accountable for a resilient and sustainable water future is a collective effort. Your voice is crucial in shaping the city’s priorities. We urge all community members to actively engage in the budget process.
Stay Engaged and Get Involved:
Let’s work together to ensure that Houston’s budget reflects a commitment to a healthy and equitable water future for all.
- Attend the upcoming Town Halls tomorrow, Saturday, May 17th at 10:00 AM at the Fonde Center or Join the Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 23rd
- Explore the Calendar of all Budget Workshops
- Give Public Comments at Department Workshops
- Submit your questions for specific Departments.
- Finally, attend the public hearing on the FY 2026 budget May 21, 2025, at 9 AM in the Anna Russell City Council Chamber at City Hall.
For questions about our policy work, please contact Guadalupe Fernandez at guadalupe@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org or Usman Mahmood usman@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.
Guadalupe Fernandez advocating at the Planning and Housing Departments.