The Fort Bend Subsidence District was created by the Texas Legislature in 1989 as a conservation and reclamation district (Act of May 26, 1989, 71st Leg., R.S., ch. 1045, 1989 Tex. Gen. Laws 4251). The District’s purpose is to regulate the withdrawal of groundwater within the District to prevent subsidence that contributes to flooding and infrastructure damages. The District’s boundary is defined as all the territory within Fort Bend County. Although Fort Bend County experienced minor amounts of subsidence prior to the 1980’s, several characteristics of the area raised concern about the potential for increasing subsidence in the future such as:

• Rapid growth
• Water supply dependent almost entirely on groundwater
• Proximity to significant water-level declines in Harris county

Currently, total water use in the District comprises about 50% groundwater and 50% alternative water, which is primarily sourced through surface water and waste water reuse. The District was formed to address measured impacts from the predominant use of groundwater. In addition to the moderate, but noticeable, amounts of subsidence, the heavy dependence of groundwater has resulted in declining water levels. Groundwater levels in wells drawing from the Chicot/Evangeline Aquifer in the northern part of the District have declined in excess of 160 feet from 1990 to 2021. (Source: 2020 Annual Groundwater Report)  These declines have resulted in increased operational costs to well users and increased subsidence throughout the area. The District regularly analyzes the adequacy of the current District Regulatory Plan and Rules to assure they continue to meet the District’s legislative mandate.