City of Houston Celebrates Inauguration of Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion

City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, accompanied by Houston Public Works and water provider organizations, marked a significant milestone on December 11, 2023, with the official opening of the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) Expansion.

Commencing in 2017, the multi-year construction effort culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly operational plant, boasting a capacity to deliver more than 400 million gallons of clean drinking water daily to Houstonians. The expanded facility is equipped with a cutting-edge intake pump system positioned approximately 900 feet from the shores of Lake Houston.

Mayor Sylvester Turner reflected on the extensive collaboration that birthed the project, stating, “Eight years ago, the City of Houston joined with four regional water authorities to invest over $1.7 billion to build what would become the largest public works water construction project in the nation. The Northeast Water Purification Plant is an essential part of our city’s infrastructure and growing resilience to the effects of climate change.”

Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock emphasized the significance of the plant in ensuring water quality and addressing environmental concerns. “The Northeast Water Purification Plant is a testament to our commitment to providing quality drinking water for our citizens,” said Haddock. “By increasing the City’s capacity to treat surface water and reducing dependence on groundwater, the project helps mitigate the risks associated with ground subsidence, such as increased flooding, damage to our roads, and other infrastructure issues.”

The collaborative effort involved partnerships with the North Harris County Regional Water Authority, the West Harris County Regional Water Authority, the North Fort Bend Water Authority, the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority, the Texas Water Development Board, and various other stakeholders.

The Northeast Water Purification Plant is located at 12550 Water Works Way in Humble, Texas.