Harris-Galveston Subsidence Control District

With population and industrial growth fed by heavy groundwater withdrawals from the Evangeline aquifers under the Houston-Galveston area, land subsidence began in the early 1900s and accelerated into the 1960s. As subsidence raised flood risk from rains, hurricanes, and tidal surges, and inflicted damage to roads, pipelines and foundations, the Texas Legislature established the Harris-Galveston Subsidence Control District in 1975 to regulate pumpage and limit subsidence. The District has since regulated and imposed fees for aquifer use, directed industrial customers to convert to surface water, and gradually slowed subsidence impacts.