Water Planning
A Systems Approach
A systems approach is one of the hallmarks of One Water and highlights that if we tackle problems based on the complete life cycle of water and larger infrastructure systems—rather than limiting ourselves to one piece of the equation—we can identify and advance more effective and lasting solutions.
New Braunfels Utilities (NBU), City of New Braunfels (CoNB), and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) use Plans to guide activities, response, and strategic planning; they offer opportunities to incorporate One Water elements into operations.
New Braunfels Utilities Plans
Current Stage: Implementation Phase: 8/2025 - 7/2030
Estimated Update Frequency: Annual updates / New report every 5 years
The Water Resources Plan (WRP) is a guide to how NBU will address its future water needs. It is a strategic water supply plan looking at New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) water needs on an annual basis. The WRP projects demand through 2075 and compares demand to NBU's current and planned future water sources. The WRP also evaluates potential additional water source options and recommends demand management strategies, such as conservation programs, to allow NBU to meet the projected demand through 2075. Participating Departments and Organizations: New Braunfels Utilities departments (Water Engineering, Water Operations, Water Treatment and Compliance, and Conservation), Arcadis
Current Stage: Implementation Phase: 5/2024 - 4/2029
Estimated Update Frequency: Every 5 years
NBU’s goal for water conservation is to reduce non-revenue, residential, commercial, and institutional water use to postpone or eliminate the need for additional water supplies and to protect our existing water supplies. The Plan describes the utility’s efforts to ensure water use efficiency, strategies for reducing the consumption of water, reducing the loss or waste of water, or increasing recycling and reuse of water. The Texas Water Development Board requires water utilities with more than 3,300 connections and/or a surface water right through TCEQ to submit a Water Conservation Plan every 5 years. Participating Departments and Organizations: New Braunfels Utilities departments (Water Services and Conservation), Arcadis, City of New Braunfels, Texas Water Development Board
Current Stage: Implementation Phase: 5/2024 - 4/2029
Estimated Update Frequency: Every 5 years, Amendment planned for Summer 2026
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires water utilities with 3,300 or more connections to submit a Drought Contingency plan every five years. The plan outlines the utilities’ trigger levels and events to enter different stages for drought. Each stage defines the utilities’ and customer’s required response to water usage, and potential surcharges. The intent is to encourage water conservation during dry periods, with a balanced approach relevant to NBU’s multiple water sources and supply. Participating Departments and Organizations: New Braunfels Utilities departments (Water Services and Conservation), TCEQ, City of New Braunfels
Current Stage: Implementation Phase: 5/2025 - 2029
Estimated Update Frequency: Annual
New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) creates a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan ("CIP") based on the NBU Water and Wastewater Master Plan, the Impact Fee Study, and Water Operations and Treatment and Compliance needs. The 5-year CIP is updated annually and approved by the NBU Board of Trustees. The CIP includes approximately 93 water and wastewater projects which are detailed in an Authorization for Expenditure ("AFE"). Each AFE includes a detailed project description, the basis for the requested project, adverse impact if the project is not completed, a critical rating, and proposed expenditures for the project. The 5-year CIP is used as a planning document and request for funding from the NBU Board of Trustees. Participating Agencies/Organizations: New Braunfels Utilities departments (Water Engineering, Water Operations, and Water Treatment and Compliance)
Water and Wastewater Master Plans
Estimated Update Frequency: Every 5 years
Current Stage: Implementation 7/2021 - 7/2026, New Report Development 1/2025 - 7/2026
Based on a 25-year planning horizon, the Water and Wastewater Master Plans include a prioritized list of capital improvement projects, with cost estimates and recommendations to ensure New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) remains in Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) compliance while providing the desired level of service to the NBU customers. The prioritized lists and recommendations are compiled from evaluations of the water and wastewater systems, creating of system projections, and analysis of the hydraulic model. NBU is updating the Water and Wastewater Master Plans in fiscal year 2026. The project kicked off in January 2025 and is expected to be completed in July 2026. Water distribution system proposed system improvements will allow NBU to serve projected growth through 2052. Participating Agencies/Organizations: New Braunfels Utilities departments (Water Engineering, Water Operations, and Water Treatment and Compliance)
City of New Braunfels Plans
Current Stage: Implementation Phase 8/2018 - 9/2033
Estimated Update Frequency: Revised every 5 years; Full update currently underway.
The Comprehensive Plan is a long range, over-arching community-wide plan that informs all other plans. Implementation is achieved through relationships and collaboration with a variety of entities, businesses and organizations. Participating Agencies/Organizations: All city departments, Comal County, Guadalupe County, non-profits, school districts, Chamber of Commerce, New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (4B Board), utility providers and local businesses.
Current Stage: Implementation Phase began 1/2018
Estimated Update Frequency: 5-10 years
This document is the culmination of an extensive planning process involving the elected officials, staff, Parks and Recreation Steering Committee, and most importantly the citizens of New Braunfels. Our purpose is to create a timeless document that represents the vision for the parks system over the next ten years. This document is intended to guide the parks system, but also incorporates flexibility in responding to unique opportunities as they arise. Note: Implementation of plan is dependent on capital funding. Participating Agencies/Organizations: New Braunfels Parks and Recreation, various other City Departments, community organizations
Current Stage: Implementation Phase began 5/2021
Estimated Update Frequency: As needed
The 2023 Bond Program outlines City of New Braunfels capital & infrastructure projects. Note: Implementation of plan is dependent on capital funding. Participating Agencies/Organizations: City of New Braunfels Capital Programs Division and Engineering Division
Current Stage: Implementation (Start: 1/2013 - 12/2027)
Estimated Update Frequency: As needed
The EAHCP is a plan to protect endangered species within the Comal and San Marcos spring and river systems. The plan includes both spring flow and habitat protection measures. The EAHCP includes minimum spring flow objectives for Comal Springs. The spring flow protection measures are to be implemented during prolonged drought periods to achieve minimum spring flow standards at Comal Springs. Habitat protection measures in New Braunfels include riparian restoration, LID/ green stormwater infrastructure projects, aquatic vegetation restoration, and non-native animal and fish species removal. Participating Agencies/Organizations: City of New Braunfels, New Braunfels Utilities, San Antonio Water System, Edwards Aquifer Authority, City of San Marcos, Texas State University, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
Current Stage: Implementation 8/2018 - 9/2028
Estimated Update Frequency: Every 5-10 years
The Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) is a plan that was developed by local stakeholders and technical advisors to address bacteria levels in the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River and reduce bacteria loading. The plan includes the bacteria load reductions needed to achieve state water quality standards and bacteria management measures that include urban wildlife management, stormwater management and education/outreach. Participating Agencies/Organizations: City of New Braunfels, Comal County, New Braunfels Utilities, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Headwaters of the Comal, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
Current Stage: Implementation 8/2025 - 8/2029
Estimated Update Frequency: 5 years
The purpose of the City of New Braunfels Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is to minimize stormwater pollution and pollutant loading to the City's storm drain system and surface waters. The SWMP is designed to meet requirements of the TCEQ’s Small MS4 program. The most pertinent parts of the SWMP are Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 4 - Construction Stormwater Management and MCM 5 - Post-construction Stormwater Management for New Development pertaining to how stormwater pollution is to be managed in areas of new development. Participating Agencies/Organizations: City of New Braunfels, TCEQ
Current Stage: The Final Report and models have been submitted to the Texas Water Development Board for review.
Estimated Update Frequency: As needed
The City of New Braunfels received a grant through the Texas Water Development Board Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) program to create a Drainage Area Master Plan that covers the HUC-10 boundary of the Comal River-Guadalupe River watershed. The scope of the master planning effort is to update flood risk based on the latest rainfall data and develop regional flood mitigation projects to include in the CIP and State Flood Plan. Participating Agencies/Organizations: Various City of New Braunfels Departments (Engineering, Planning, Parks, Watershed, Public Works, etc.), City of Seguin, Guadalupe County, Comal County, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Federal Emergency Management Agency, New Braunfels Utilities
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Plans
Current Stage: Planning 2021 - 2027
Estimated Update Frequency: As needed
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) is developing the Guadalupe River Habitat Conservation Plan (GRHCP), a basin-wide initiative designed to protect the health of the Guadalupe River while supporting reliable water supplies for the communities it serves. The plan brings together a diverse group of partners to balance regional water needs with the conservation of at-risk and endangered species throughout the Guadalupe River Basin. Developed in accordance with the Endangered Species Act, the GRHCP will provide a long-term framework for responsible water stewardship. Once completed, the plan will allow GBRA to continue delivering essential services while safeguarding the river and the species that depend on it now, and into the future.
Current Stage: Implementation Phase 5/2023 - 5/2028
Estimated Update Frequency: Every 5 years
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) adopted a revised Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) in May 2023 for wholesale customers of Canyon Reservoir to safeguard the water supply for the communities it serves. This DCP defines wholesale user actions and drought thresholds set to coordinate conservation in order to conserve the available water supply and/or to protect the integrity of water supply facilities, with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, and to protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety and minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions. Participating Agencies/Organizations: South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region L), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Wholesale water providers