June 7, 2025

College Station Residents Urged to Conserve Water Amid Drought

News Summary

The College Station community is facing record water usage due to ongoing drought conditions, prompting the Wellborn Special Utility District to implement stage one of its drought contingency plan. Residents are being asked to limit irrigation to twice a week and adhere to existing watering restrictions to manage water demand. With a historic daily peak of 26.7 million gallons consumed, concerns about resource sustainability grow, especially as legal disputes arise over water rights in Texas. The community’s commitment to responsible water practices is vital for ensuring future water availability.

College Station, Texas – Residents of College Station and the Wellborn Special Utility District (WSUD) are urged to conserve water this summer as the community faces record water usage amid ongoing drought conditions. With WSUD’s drought contingency plan entering stage one on June 1, the focus is on voluntary compliance with a water usage schedule to reduce overall consumption. General manager of WSUD, Campbell Young, highlighted the importance of spreading water demand to potentially reduce usage by half.

Recent data indicated that College Station experienced a historic peak of 26.7 million gallons of water used in a single day, making it the highest daily usage recorded in the city. This surge equated to over one million gallons consumed each hour, raising concerns about adequate system buffers for emergencies or maintenance issues. The primary driver behind excessive water usage has been attributed to irrigation practices, rather than routine activities such as bathing or laundry.

To combat the escalating demand, College Station is now asking its residents to voluntarily restrict irrigation to twice a week. This policy aligns with the year-round sprinkler and spray irrigation restrictions in place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., aimed at promoting responsible water usage. The Water Resource Coordinator for College Station, Jennifer Nations, advises residents to utilize efficient watering practices, noting the benefits of watering sections of their lawns for brief increments of time while repeating this four to five times to minimize runoff.

The call for conservation comes amid rising concerns over water scarcity in Texas, exacerbated by both residential and commercial demands. BSUD’s drought contingency plans are designed to maintain adequate water access for all residents while ensuring water towers remain full. Young noted that without outdoor irrigation restrictions, WSUD could potentially serve around 20,000 additional customers compared to its current count, indicating the significant pressure on water resources.

As Texas grapples with the potential for long-term water shortages, legal conflicts have emerged regarding water rights between entities such as the City of Bryan, College Station, Texas A&M University, and for-profit organizations including Upwell Water. Upwell Water has announced plans to extract water from the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer, causing concern over sustainability and access for local communities. This tension highlights the ongoing struggle to balance local water needs with the interests of profit-driven projects.

In response to the increasing demand for water, the Texas legislature is exploring innovative solutions such as desalination and wastewater reclamation initiatives. However, significant environmental challenges remain, particularly concerning the treatment of wastewater from fracking, which is known for requiring substantial energy in its processing. The feasibility of these treatment options is still being evaluated.

The intersecting issues of local water demands and for-profit water ventures underscore broader questions regarding resource management and environmental impact within the state of Texas. Continuing advocacy for responsible water usage, coupled with legislative action on sustainable water practices, is essential as communities strive to secure their water futures in the face of ongoing challenges.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Texas A&M University Launches New Sustainability Initiative
Leadership Changes and Community Improvements in College Station
College Station Mayor Discusses Housing and Safety Issues
Central Texas Water Wars: Georgetown’s $1 Billion Project Creates Controversy
Bryan Mayor Discusses Community Issues and Future Plans
Brazos County Tackles Honeybee Population Decline
College Station Achieves Bird City Texas Designation
College Station Prioritizes Water Supply with Groundwater Study

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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