A new report by KPRC 2 says that the ground beneath parts of Spring is actively sinking.

The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District's (HGSD) latest data shows measurable land subsidence across northwestern Harris County, including Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Fulshear and Katy. In some locations across the region, the ground has dropped more than a foot since 2007, KPRC 2 reported.

Ashley Greuter, HGSD's director of research and water conservation, said at an April 2026 public hearing that the Tomball and Spring area is showing active subsidence, with some rates exceeding 2 centimeters per year, Houston Public Media reported.

Subsidence is the gradual sinking of the ground caused by pumping large amounts of water from underground aquifers. The soft clay layers beneath the surface compress permanently when that water is removed. Unlike a sponge, they never recover.

Casey Hughes, HGSD communications director, told KPRC 2 in May that the sinking is permanent and irreversible. Hughes told ABC13 in May that areas still actively subsiding rely heavily on groundwater to supply their water demand.

Spring sits in the HGSD's Regulatory Area 3, which covers northern and western Harris County. That area used roughly 194 million gallons of groundwater per day in 2025, accounting for most of the district's total withdrawal, according to Katy News, citing HGSD data. Regulatory Area 3 must cut permitted groundwater use to no more than 20% of total water demand by 2035. The HGSD imposes a penalty of $12,520 per million gallons for failing to meet that target.

That fee Spring residents see on their water bills from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) funds the conversion. Spring-area municipal utility districts, including Harris County MUD 167 and MUD 370, belong to the WHCRWA, a state-created entity managing the shift from groundwater to surface water, according to MUD 370's website.

The WHCRWA's Central Pump Station project will supply surface water from Lake Houston through more than 55 miles of pipeline and two large pump stations, according to MUD 167's project page.

Mike Turco, HGSD general manager, said the region has moved from 70% groundwater to 40%, with a target of 20% by 2035. Groundwater withdrawal across the Houston region has declined 50% since 1976 despite rapid population growth, according to HGSD data presented at the April hearing.

What homeowners should watch for

Foundation repair specialist Alex Lopez, owner of Safe Lift Concrete Leveling, said Houston's clay soils already expand and contract with weather changes. Poor drainage washes soil away from foundations, compounding the problem.

"The second you see any crack, any movement, a door that's not closing properly, give an expert a call," Lopez told KPRC 2. "And if you're not happy with that expert, get another opinion."

Warning signs include new cracks in walls or brick, doors or windows that suddenly stick, uneven floors and visible foundation movement. Foundation concerns are not limited to older homes. Real estate agents Shannon Araya and Maria Lee, with Keller Williams Premier Realty, said they see issues in homes of all ages, including new construction.

Repairs can cost from several thousand dollars to more than $20,000, depending on the damage. Agent Maria Lee said a structural engineer inspection runs $600 to $800, KPRC 2 reported Sept. 15. Texas law requires sellers to disclose foundation repairs on the seller's disclosure form.

Residents can check their neighborhood's subsidence history on the HGSD's interactive map. The tool lets users search by address and compare ground movement over time.