What San Jacinto River Authority does

San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created by the Texas Legislature in 1937 (originally as the San Jacinto Conservation and Reclamation District, renamed in 1951) to develop, conserve, and protect water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. SJRA operates as a wholesale water provider funded solely through customer contracts (it has no taxing authority and receives no legislative appropriations), serving Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), municipalities, investor-owned utilities, industrial clients, and commercial businesses primarily in Montgomery County and eastern Harris County across seven counties.

The authority manages five primary operating divisions plus a shared services function: Highlands Division (industrial water delivery via a 27-mile canal system — the oldest division, dating to 1937), Lake Conroe Division (reservoir and dam operations, water quality, wildlife management, and permitting on the 21,000-acre reservoir holding 140 billion gallons), Woodlands Division (wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment for 11 MUDs serving The Woodlands, operating 126+ miles of water lines and 70+ miles of sewer lines), Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Division (surface water treatment and delivery to balance groundwater and surface water use for 90+ entities, created 2009), and Flood Management Division (regional flood strategy plus the Bear Branch Reservoir System with a 60-acre detention reservoir and 8 miles of conveyance channels). Underlying technology includes SCADA systems for real-time monitoring of dams, treatment facilities, and lift stations, GIS for watershed mapping, conventional sampling for water quality (Clean Rivers Program, zebra mussel monitoring via sediment samplers and eDNA), and a newly launched Customer Portal for permitting and billing.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across recurring streams: long-term raw water supply contracts (the largest contributor) sourced from Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, and the Trinity River; GRP fees from participants (often passed through to retail customers); Woodlands Division wholesale water and wastewater fees; Lake Conroe licensing and permitting fees (e.g., residential structures at $0.188/sq ft, commercial structures at $0.375/sq ft, commercial operations at $375 annually); and Highlands Division industrial canal fees. Go-to-market is direct B2B via long-term wholesale contracts, supplemented by a 2024-launched self-service Customer Portal. Marketing channels are predominantly organic social media, a content/email website presence, and trade-association engagement (Texas Water Conference). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with Michelle Simpson serving as General Manager since November 2023.

Name

San Jacinto River Authority

Legal name

San Jacinto River Authority

Website

https://sjra.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

San Jacinto River Authority is a Texas river authority and political subdivision that provides wholesale water supply, wastewater treatment, and flood management services to MUDs, municipalities, IOUs, and industrial clients across the San Jacinto River basin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Resource Management Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB), Detention, Retention & Storage Systems (Ponds, Tanks, Vaults) (EUANAEAD), Aqueducts, Canals & Pipeline-Canal Hybrid Conveyance Systems (Interbasin) (TLAGAHAK)

Keywords

• Water resource management
• Wholesale water supply
• Wastewater treatment services
• Flood management infrastructure
• Municipal water delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Conroe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Raw Water Sales: Long-term water sale contracts for municipal, industrial, and agricultural use. SJRA supplies raw, untreated water from Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, and the Trinity River. These contracts account for the vast majority of raw water revenues.
2. Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Fees: Fees collected from GRP Division Participants used to operate and maintain the surface water treatment plant. Many participants pass through their GRP fees directly to retail customers.
3. Lake Conroe Division Revenue: Funded through joint venture between SJRA and City of Houston (1/3 SJRA : 2/3 Houston partnership). Revenue from lakeside residents, businesses, marinas, and on-water businesses requiring permits.
4. Woodlands Division Fees: Wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment services for eleven MUDs in The Woodlands. Fees operate over 126 miles of water supply lines, 70+ miles of sewer lines, three wastewater treatment facilities, nine water storage tanks, and six elevated water towers.
5. Lake Conroe Licensing and Permitting: Annual fees for residential structures, commercial operations, residential lawn irrigation, bulkheads, and dredging permits on Lake Conroe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

San Jacinto River Authority is a Texas water management authority that delivers raw untreated water from Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, and the Trinity River to municipal, industrial, and agricultural wholesale customers through long-term contracts. It also provides wastewater treatment services to 11 Municipal Utility Districts in The Woodlands, operates and maintains the Lake Conroe Dam and Spillway, manages a 27-mile canal system delivering water to industrial clients (Highlands Division), and implements regional flood management strategies including the Bear Branch Reservoir System.

Product overview

San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is a Texas water management authority providing water supply, treatment, and flood management services across the San Jacinto River Basin. SJRA operates five core divisions—Highlands Division (industrial water via canal system), Lake Conroe Division (reservoir management and permitting), Woodlands Division (wholesale water and wastewater treatment for The Woodlands), GRP Division (groundwater reduction through surface water treatment), and Flood Management Division (regional flood control including Bear Branch Reservoir). The organization offers water supply to municipal/industrial customers, wastewater treatment services, reservoir operations, and environmental programs including watershed protection, native plant restoration, and invasive species monitoring. A Customer Portal enables online permit applications and bill payment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Highlands Division - Industrial Water Supply Delivers water to industrial clients along the Houston Ship Channel through a 27-mile canal system; delivers more water daily than all other SJRA divisions combined.
• Lake Conroe Division - Reservoir Management & Permitting Operates and maintains the Lake Conroe Dam and Spillway; manages water quality, wildlife, boating safety, and invasive species; provides licensing for residential structures, commercial operations, bulkheads, and dredging on Lake Conroe.
• Woodlands Division - Wholesale Water & Wastewater Treatment Provides wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment for The Woodlands area, serving 11 Municipal Utility Districts. Operates over 126 miles of water supply lines, 70+ miles of sewer lines, three wastewater treatment facilities, nine water storage tanks, and six elevated water towers.
• Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Division Treats surface water from Lake Conroe and delivers it throughout Montgomery County, helping balance groundwater and surface water use. Serves Municipal Utility Districts, Investor Owned Utilities, and municipalities to comply with groundwater reduction requirements.
• Flood Management Division Develops and implements short- and long-term regional flood management strategies in coordination with local, state, and federal entities. Manages the Bear Branch Reservoir System, including a 60-acre detention reservoir with earthen dam, concrete spillways, and approximately eight miles of conveyance channels (Bear Branch, Alden Branch, and Upper Panther Branch).
• Customer Portal Online self-service platform enabling customers to open cases, gather information, submit inquiries, track requests, apply for and track licenses/permits, and pay bills online for Lake Conroe Division customers.
• Raw Water Sales (Wholesale Raw Water Supply) Long-term water sale contracts delivering raw, untreated water from Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, and the Trinity River for municipal, industrial, and agricultural use. SJRA also completed a 2009 purchase of the City of Houston's 2/3 share of Lake Conroe water supplies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lake Conroe holds 140 billion gallons of water serving thousands of people
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• City of HoustonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968Partnership agreement to jointly construct Lake Conroe water supply reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. SJRA holds 1/3 share while City of Houston holds 2/3 share. In September 2009, SJRA completed contract to purchase City's 2/3 share of water supplies in Lake Conroe, making all water available for Montgomery County users.
• Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner11 MUDs in The Woodlands receive wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment services. Woodlands Division works in coordination with MUDs, ten of which are operated by Woodlands Water Agency (WWA).
• Woodlands Water Agency (WWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates with SJRA Woodlands Division; ten of the eleven MUDs in The Woodlands are operated by WWA.
• Texas Water Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint construction partner with City of Houston for Lake Conroe reservoir. Also involved in Flood Management funding and SJRA FIF Funding.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for zebra mussel monitoring and native aquatic plant management. TPWD collects eDNA and plankton samples twice yearly and collaborates on invasive species management.
• Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional manager of Clean Rivers Program (CRP). Disseminates laboratory results through H-GAC website and creates annual Basin Highlights/Summary Report.
• City of Houston Water Quality LaboratoryminorOthersProcesses water samples collected from Lake Conroe and tributaries for Clean Rivers Program analysis.
• Seven Coves Bass ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with SJRA and TPWD on managing invasive and native aquatic plants in Lake Conroe.
• Water Environmental Association of Texas (WEAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual conference host. Partner in CLOG ALERT campaign to educate Texans about proper disposal of household items.
• CLOG ALERT Campaign PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership including: Kimley-Horn, Signature Automation, City of Arlington, City of Dallas, City of Garland, El Paso Water, McAllen Public Utility, San Antonio River Authority, City of Waxahachie, Trinity River Authority, City of Lubbock, Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies. Goal is to remind Texans about proper disposal of fats, grease, wipes, and other items.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• San Antonio Water System (SAWS): Large Texas municipal water and wastewater utility providing retail and wholesale water services, recycling, and conservation programs. Comparable in water/wastewater treatment operations though municipally owned rather than a river authority.
• Tarrant Regional Water District: Regional water authority providing wholesale water supply and flood management across North Texas. Comparable in scale and wholesale contract structure, though operating in a different region of Texas.
• North Texas Municipal Water District: Regional water and wastewater provider serving fast-growing North Texas communities through member cities. Comparable wholesale contract model and rapid-growth customer dynamics to SJRA's Woodlands Division.

Direct peers

• Brazos River Authority: Texas river authority providing wholesale water supply, wastewater treatment, and reservoir management across the Brazos River basin. Closely analogous operating model and customer mix to SJRA.
• Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): One of the largest Texas river authorities, providing wholesale water, electricity generation, and flood management. Comparable statutory authority, multi-division structure, and long-term contract revenue model.
• Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority: Texas river authority operating water treatment, wastewater, and wholesale supply services. Closely matches SJRA's wholesale water utility operating model and customer base.
• Sabine River Authority of Texas: Texas river authority with similar statutory mandate for water supply, water quality, and recreation management. Directly comparable in legal form, regional scope, and service mix.
• Trinity River Authority: Texas river authority with comparable statutory mandate to develop, conserve, and protect water resources, operating dams, reservoirs, and treatment infrastructure. Directly comparable in legal structure, mission, and operating model to SJRA.

Others

• Harris-Galveston Subsidence District: Special-purpose district regulating groundwater withdrawals to address land subsidence in Harris and Galveston counties. Closely related regulatory mandate to SJRA's GRP Division and a prior employer of SJRA's former GM.

Regional players

• City of Houston Public Works (Water): Large municipal water and wastewater utility with which SJRA shares a historic Lake Conroe partnership and ongoing operational coordination. Comparable in scale and treatment capabilities, but operates in a different geographic service territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sjralakeconroe
• Facebookfacebook.com/sanjacintoriverauthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-jacinto-river-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/sanjacintoriverauthoritysjra

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Jacinto River Authority