Conroe Faces Citywide Building Moratorium Amid Water Infrastructure Crisis

Conroe, TX, one of the fastest-growing cities in Montgomery County, is facing a critical infrastructure challenge that could temporarily halt new development across the city. Due to overextended water capacity, the City of Conroe is moving toward a citywide building moratorium—a dramatic step with serious implications for homebuilders, developers, and real estate professionals.

⚠️ Why Is Conroe Considering a Building Moratorium?

At a recent City Council meeting, officials voted 3-2 to initiate the moratorium process, citing the city’s failure to meet state-mandated water infrastructure standards. The decision comes amid skyrocketing growth and inadequate investment in essential water systems.

🔍 Key Issues Driving the Crisis:

• 🚰 51,221 active water connections
• 📉 Water usage exceeds the city’s legally supported capacity
• ⚠️ Six critical water wells were planned in 2018—but never funded
• 💸 From 2011 to 2023, $195 million in water projects were requested, but only $71 million was approved
• 🏗️ Meanwhile, $112 million was diverted to beautification and downtown redevelopment projects

The city will now request a water capacity waiver from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and schedule public hearings as part of the moratorium process.

🛑 What Areas Are Affected?

Currently, a temporary building moratorium is already in place on the north side of Conroe, but city officials warn it may soon expand citywide unless infrastructure capacity is addressed immediately.

🔧 What’s Being Done to Fix It?

City staff are accelerating efforts to restore compliance and protect future development opportunities. Current emergency projects include:

• 🏭 Building Water Plant No. 2
• 🔁 Completing a bypass line for Water Plant 15
• 💧 Designing and engineering two new water wells
• 📑 Coordinating with TCEQ to explore short-term solutions

These initiatives aim to prevent a full moratorium, but the timeline for implementation remains uncertain.

🏘️ Impact on Real Estate & Development in Conroe, TX

A full-scale building moratorium in Conroe could significantly affect:

• Residential builders and new home construction permits
• Commercial development and land use approvals
• Real estate investors, brokers, and buyers looking for new inventory
• Zoning applications and infrastructure planning

As Conroe real estate continues to attract interest from across the Houston metro area, this infrastructure issue underscores the importance of municipal planning, utility investment, and long-term sustainable growth strategies.

📊 Conroe was ranked one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., but rapid expansion must now balance with utility readiness and environmental compliance.

📖 Read the Full Story

📰 Full article: Houston Chronicle Coverage

📲 Questions About How This Affects You?

Whether you're a developer, buyer, or real estate investor in Montgomery County, understanding how infrastructure issues impact the Conroe housing market is critical. I’m here to help you navigate market shifts with insight and solutions.

📧 Email: bren@soprotx.com

📞 Call: 281-468-5145

🌐 Browse listings & updates: www.brenbrewer.com