Continuing a months-long dispute, the Leander City Council voted Oct. 1 to request an increase to water levels at Lakewood Park.

Water levels for the dam at Lakewood Park fell nearly four feet—from 876.2 feet to 872.8 feet above sea level—in late 2025. While the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control Improvement District states illegal modifications resulted in "an artificially higher lake level," city leaders and residents are asking the agency to restore the dam to a higher water level.

The North Fort Bend Water Authority will provide surface water to Fulshear, resolving a four-year rate dispute and saving the city $40 million.

The Rio Grande is facing severe pressure as prolonged drought, rising temperatures, and extensive water withdrawals reduce flows across parts of its basin. The river supports drinking water, farming, and wildlife across the United States and Mexico. Experts warn that shrinking flows could create serious challenges for communities already struggling with water shortages.

The City Council unanimously approved a development agreement for the Taylor Technology Campus, the former Project Mustang power plant and data center opposed by many who packed City Hall Oct. 8. Supporters, however, noted the project could pump more than a billion dollars into the tax base and provide millions in revenue for local school districts.

The New Braunfels City Council approved updates to the city's drought contingency plan, including stricter outdoor watering limits and updated surcharges.

Aledo City Council voted Oct. 1 to join a new countywide agency meant to plan and pay for future water supplies. Later the same night, after about 90 minutes in closed session, the council approved a settlement in a lawsuit that Aledo and Fort Worth brought against the City of Willow Park, Beall-Dean Ranch, and Parker County.

El Nino is continuing to strengthen in the Pacific, bringing increasing chances of a rainy winter to Dallas-Fort Worth. According to an Oct. 8 advisory from the Climate Prediction Center, El Nino strengthened further in September and is expected to continue developing through the end of the year.

The City of Zavalla has received a $5.3 million water infrastructure grant awarded by the state after decades of water system issues, officials said Monday.

The council approved the $18,425 purchase of a replacement waste pump for treatment Train 3 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council previously planned separate improvements on the treatment trains which were estimated to cost around $13 million.

Residents gathered at Northwest Vista College on Tuesday to voice concerns about data center development in San Antonio and discuss what regulations city leaders should consider as they prepare to update the city’s land development rules.

The city of Ben Bolt is receiving more than $31 million in federal funding to replace its outdated wastewater collection system — a change more than 20 years in the making. The funding comes from USDA Rural Development and is made up mostly of a grant, with a small portion being a loan. The money will transition the city away from septic tanks and toward a modern sewage system. When I talked to people in the community, they said this is a major step for the city.

La Grulla Mayor Macario Villarreal issued an apology to residents following a major weekend water outage caused by a broken 35-year-old pipe fitting as a boil water notice remains in effect.

Marble Falls is making small cuts to its new One Water wastewater treatment plant to offset rising construction costs, though the latest changes still add $88,129.79 to the construction contract.

The Pearland City Council approved an $8.8 million contract for drainage improvements in the Hickory Creek, Garden Acres, Herridge Miller and Brookland Acres subdivisions.

Celina officials are adjusting plans for Wilson Creek Park and Ousley Park to balance recreation with water conservation efforts.