Purpose of Requirements

The Coastal Water Authority’s (CWA) principal objective is to deliver raw water to municipal, industrial, and agricultural entities throughout Liberty, Chambers, and Harris County, Texas. CWA must be able to construct, operate, maintain, and repair or replace the various water distribution facilities throughout the CWA system. Inappropriate activities in proximity to CWA facilities can be costly, damaging, and threaten public health and safety. These easement and right of way encroachment requirements apply to all CWA rights-of-way and easements, and serve as the primary means to monitor all existing or proposed construction, operations, and maintenance of improvements, while facilitating the maximum protection of the CWA system and its users.

The purpose of these requirements is to enhance CWA conveyance and distribution facilities’ security, protect the integrity of existing facilities, and accommodate future facility improvements and operational needs. CWA canals and distribution systems perform an integral function, providing fresh water to the City of Houston (COH) and surrounding communities. Continued uninterrupted operation is a vital governmental function for the well-being of citizens in the served communities.

General Requirements

Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment General Requirements 2022

Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment Application

Raw Water Service Connection General Requirements

Raw Water Service Connection Application

CWA Right of Entry Application

Applicants shall complete the form at the bottom of this page and upload a completed Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment Application and supporting documents to start the permit request process.

The application fee must be paid prior to receiving an application number. Each new crossing will require a separate permit request submission and administrative fee.

Note: Turnaround time for reviews is typically 6-8 weeks once the application, drawings, and fee have been submitted to CWA, but is not guaranteed. Approved drawings and an executed agreement are to be set in place prior to construction commencing.

  • Prior to submitting an application, each applicant is required to review the guidelines and submittal requirements in the Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment General Requirements document below.

Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment General Requirements 2022

  • Applicants will then complete the Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment Application below and upload it to Permit Request form at the bottom of this page along with map references and documentation.

Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment Application

  • Submit all documents using the form at the bottom of this page.

All application reviews will focus on the protection of CWA facilities and the ability for CWA to construct, operate, maintain, repair or replace CWA facilities.

The Applicant is responsible for becoming and remaining informed of the General Requirements. The form and general requirements can be found in the CWA Right of Entry Application.

Note: Turnaround time for a review of Right of Entry request is typically 1-2 weeks after an application and supporting documents have been submitted to CWA.

  • Prior to submitting an application, each applicant is required to review the guidelines and submittal requirements in the Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment General Requirements document below for detailed information regarding submittal requirements and general conditions.

Easement & Right-of-Way Encroachment General Requirements 2022

  • Complete the Right of Entry Application and include it with the form at the bottom of this page along with Certificate of Insurance, detailed map showing the location of access, and acceptance of the terms and conditions.

CWA Right of Entry Application

  • Submit all documents using the form at the bottom of this page.

A City of Houston contract number is required before applying for a raw water service connection. To obtain raw water from CWA, the applicant request is coordinated though the City of Houston Public Works and Engineering/Planning and Development Services/Houston Water Planning (HWP). Potential raw water customers should contact HWP to begin the process.

Once a City of Houston contract number has been obtained, the Applicant can apply for a Raw Water Service Connection.

  • Prior to submitting an application, each applicant is required to review the guidelines and submittal requirements in the Raw Water Service Connection General Requirements document below for detailed information regarding submittal requirements and general conditions.
    Raw Water Service Connection General Requirements
  • Complete the Raw Water Service Connection Application and include it with the form at the bottom of this page along with Certificate of Insurance, detailed map showing the location of access, and acceptance of the terms and conditions.
    Raw Water Service Connection Application
  • Submit all documents using the form at the bottom of this page.

Fees

Pay fees by sending a check made out to “Coastal Water Authority” to the address below. Please accompany the payment with a cover letter referencing the applicant name.

Executive Director
Coastal Water Authority
1801 Main Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Easement or Consent to Encroach Application

There is a non-refundable $5,000 administrative fee for each pipeline, utility, road, railroad, or other facility crossing a CWA Corridor. The fee does not cover costs associated with the grant of an easement, special encroachment consideration, or review requiring specialized knowledge or consideration for which additional fees may be charged. Fees must be received prior to any application review.

Usage fees will depend on the type of use, duration, and effect on CWA easements and right-of-way.

If CWA owns the property being crossed in fee or deed, the Applicant will be issued an easement the width of the utility. (Additional easement width will only be considered in very special circumstances and evaluated on an individual case basis.) The Applicant will be required to submit a metes and bounds description of the proposed easement and obtain an appraisal for this easement. After CWA deems the appraisal is acceptable, the Applicant must submit payment in the amount of the easement valuation based on the appraisal along with any other cost factors identified by CWA. This cost is in addition to the Administrative Fee described above.

Special encroachments that CWA identify as above and beyond a typical encroachment may be charged a fee in addition to the initial $5,000 administrative fee. Special encroachments will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the additional fee will be based on the anticipated actual CWA cost for review and processing the encroachment application. The initial $5,000 administrative fee to review an application for a special encroachment is non-refundable.

Permit Request Form