Securing Shallowater's Water Future

Shallowater faces two significant challenges with its drinking water system. Much of the city’s water infrastructure is aging, and the City is now taking proactive steps to make the repairs and upgrades needed to ensure long-term reliability and resilience.

Second, the City of Lubbock—Shallowater’s primary water supplier—has notified the City that it will stop providing water within five years due to its own growth and supply limitations. As a result, Shallowater must urgently find a new, reliable water source and make significant investments in its own infrastructure. Because Shallowater is a small community with relatively few customers, the financial burden of these upgrades must be shared across a limited number of ratepayers.

The City is taking a comprehensive approach to secure a safe and reliable water supply before the City of Lubbock discontinues service. This includes:

• Identifying and securing new water sources

• Replacing or upgrading aging infrastructure throughout the system

• Designing and building a new drinking water treatment plant

• Constructing a new wastewater treatment plant that will address existing odor issues and support long-term community needs

These projects are being funded through state-level programs, including SWIFT, DFund, and SRF financing from the Texas Water Development Board. Planning and construction are expected to continue through 2029 to ensure the new systems are in place before Lubbock's supply ends.

Early estimates place the total cost of Shallowater’s water system improvements at approximately $76.8 million, with additional operations and maintenance (O&M) costs beginning in 2029. These figures include planning, construction of new water and wastewater treatment plants, and major infrastructure upgrades, and they will continue to be studied and refined as the project advances.

To pay for these improvements, the City is pursuing funding through the Texas Water Development Board, including programs like SWIFT, DFund, and SRF. Even with state assistance, local customers will bear part of the cost through water and sewer rate adjustments and property taxes.

While planning is still underway, early financial modeling shows that customer bills will certainly increase over the next several years to help fund the necessary improvements. The City is exploring a variety of funding approaches—including the use of state programs and a mix of rates and property taxes—to reduce the impact on local households.

Although no final decisions have been made, it’s clear that the level of investment required to ensure Shallowater’s water future will come with real financial implications. These potential impacts will be discussed publicly and refined over time as the City evaluates its options.

The City of Lubbock has been a key partner in supplying water to Shallowater for many years. However, due to rapid growth and increased demand within its own service area, Lubbock has informed Shallowater that it will no longer be able to supply water beginning in September 2029.

This is not a reflection of any disagreement or bad faith—Lubbock is simply prioritizing its long-term needs as any growing city must.

Rather than seeing this as a setback, Shallowater is treating it as an opportunity: a chance to invest in its own infrastructure, secure an independent water supply, and take control of its water future. By doing so, the City lays the foundation for long-term self-reliance, resilience, and community pride.

Doing nothing is not an option. Shallowater will no longer have access to water from Lubbock in just a few years. Without a new, reliable water source and the infrastructure to support it, the City will not be able to provide clean drinking water for its residents and businesses.

That would threaten public health, shut down essential services, and severely impact the community’s ability to grow and function. By acting now, Shallowater can avoid crisis, maintain local control, and secure a stronger future for generations to come.

The City of Shallowater is working closely with experienced professionals to ensure that costs are managed wisely and shared fairly. A nationally respected financial consultant, Raftelis, has been hired to help design a funding strategy that considers existing revenue streams, customer impacts, and long-term affordability.

The City is exploring various approaches to spreading costs equitably, including balancing utility rates and property taxes, and potential discounts or protections for seniors and low-income households. Every option is being weighed to ensure that the financial burden does not fall unfairly on those least able to afford it.

Yes. The City has established an Infrastructure Advisory Committee made up of community members representing a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. This group is studying the issues in depth, reviewing alternatives, and helping shape the best path forward for Shallowater’s water future.

As the planning progresses, the City will present the details of each option—including how they affect customer bills—so that residents can understand and weigh in on what’s being proposed. Ultimately, the Shallowater City Council will make funding decisions, but not without public input. Your voice matters, and there will be opportunities to engage before final decisions are made.

Impacts on customer bills are expected to begin in Fiscal Year 2026, but increases will start modestly. The more significant changes are projected for 2028 and 2029, when major construction and financing activities begin in earnest.

It’s also important to understand that many of these charges may not appear on your monthly utility bill. Instead, the City is considering collecting them through the annual property tax bill, which can help reduce administrative costs and ensure predictability. As plans are finalized, the City will clearly explain when and how charges will appear so there are no surprises.

Affordability is a major concern, and the City of Shallowater is committed to protecting its most economically vulnerable residents. That’s one reason the City partnered with Raftelis, a national expert in utility rate design and affordability. They’re helping the City explore ways to support customers, particularly low-income households and seniors, who may struggle to keep up with higher costs.

While specific programs haven’t been finalized yet, options are being actively considered. As the plan is developed, more information will be shared about how the City can assist residents in need and ensure that no one is left behind.

Shallowater is taking this responsibility seriously. The City has hired engineering and financial experts with deep experience in West Texas water challenges, including some of the best minds in the business. These professionals are focused on designing cost-effective solutions that meet the community’s needs without unnecessary spending.

To keep the process transparent, the City’s Infrastructure Advisory Committee meets regularly, with public agendas and updates, and the City Council has openly discussed this issue in public meetings. In addition, the City is working on a communications program that will keep residents informed, explain the decisions being made, and provide opportunities for community feedback at every step.

The water currently supplied to Shallowater by the City of Lubbock meets all state and federal standards for safety and quality. When Shallowater transitions to its own water system, the City will continue to meet or exceed those same standards.

The goal of this investment is not necessarily to improve water quality, but to ensure that residents continue to have access to safe, reliable drinking water—independently and sustainably—after Lubbock’s supply ends.

Planning and building an entirely new water and wastewater system is a major undertaking. It involves detailed engineering, strict permitting, construction timelines, and coordination with multiple agencies—all of which take years to complete.

Because Lubbock has informed Shallowater that it will stop providing water by September 2029, the City must act now to ensure the new system is in place before that deadline. Delaying these investments would risk not having a reliable water supply when the current one is turned off. The City is moving quickly and responsibly to protect its future.

The Infrastructure Advisory Committee includes a cross-section of Shallowater residents with deep ties to the community. Each was invited to serve based on their experience, leadership, and commitment to Shallowater's future.

The City is developing a communications program to update residents on the timeline, decisions, and potential impacts of the water system improvements. This will include public meetings, online information, and other outreach efforts.

The Infrastructure Advisory Committee will also serve as a bridge between the City and the community, listening to feedback and helping share accurate information. As more details are finalized, residents can review the plan, ask questions, and offer input.

Shallowater is applying for funding through the Texas Water Development Board, including programs like the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), Development Fund (DFund), and State Revolving Fund (SRF). These programs offer low-interest loans and grants to help communities invest in water and wastewater infrastructure.

While these sources can reduce the overall cost to residents, they do not cover 100% of project expenses. Local funding—through rates or property taxes—will still be necessary, but every effort is being made to secure outside support and minimize local impacts.

You can participate by attending public meetings, following City updates, and sharing your feedback through the outreach channels that will be provided. If you have specific concerns or ideas, you can also contact the Infrastructure Advisory Committee, City Council, or staff members.

As the City moves forward, it will offer multiple opportunities for residents to help shape the plan, review materials, and understand what’s being proposed. Everyone’s voice matters, and your involvement is key to making this effort successful.