FLOODING AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: Protecting Lives and Property

The Infrastructure Emergency

Houston faces dual water crises. Our 70-year-old East Water Purification Plant serves 1.9 million residents with 31% of components expected to fail within 2 years, requiring $4.2 billion for replacement (KHOU, 2025). Meanwhile, flooding continues devastating our neighborhoods, with Harris County facing a $1.4 billion funding gap for voter-approved flood projects (Houston Chronicle, 2023).

Our Comprehensive Water Security Plan

1. Water Infrastructure Renewal Program

Address the $15 billion infrastructure need through:

• Federal infrastructure grants ($3 billion target)

• State water development board loans ($2 billion)

• Green bonds for sustainable infrastructure ($1 billion)

• Progressive rate structure protecting low-income users

Priorities:

• East Water Plant replacement (avoiding catastrophic failure)

• Lead service line replacement in environmental justice communities

• Smart meter installation reducing water loss by 15%

Timeline: Construction begins Year 2, completion by 2032 Monthly impact: Average $12 increase, with exemptions for seniors and low-income

2. Neighborhood Flood Resilience Initiative

Move beyond regional projects to neighborhood-scale solutions:

• Green infrastructure requirements for all new development

• Retrofitting 50 neighborhoods with bioswales and rain gardens

• Home elevation grants for repetitive loss properties

• Community-designed detention in parks and greenspaces

Funding: Dedicate 25% of drainage fees to neighborhood projects Impact: Reduce street flooding by 40% in targeted areas

3. Climate-Ready Building Standards

Update codes for 2050 climate projections:

• Require 500-year + 3 feet elevation for new construction

• Mandatory on-site detention for 100-year storms

• Cool roof and permeable paving requirements

• Strengthen windstorm standards

Timeline: Code adoption Year 1, enforcement Year 2 Benefit: Avoid $10 billion in future flood losses

4. Environmental Justice Flood Protection

Prioritize historically underserved neighborhoods:

• Kashmere Gardens comprehensive drainage upgrade

• Fifth Ward home buyouts and green space creation

• Sunnyside stormwater park development

• Complete Sims Bayou improvements

Investment: $500 million over 5 years from multiple sources Jobs created: 2,000 construction positions with local hiring requirements

5. Regional Coordination Compact

Lead creation of Gulf Coast Water Security Alliance:

• Unified watershed management across counties

• Shared funding for regional detention

• Coordinated emergency response protocols

• Joint federal advocacy for infrastructure funding

Goal: Secure $5 billion in federal resilience funding by 2027