Houston implements water shut-offs and transit safety updates

The City of Houston has announced it will begin disconnecting water service for approximately 15,000 customers with unpaid balances. Mayor John Whitmire stated that these customers collectively owe over $30 million and have had outstanding balances for at least 90 days. The city noted that this action follows two years of leeway provided after previous water billing inaccuracies.

In other regional developments, Houston's METRO is launching a new bus patrol initiative on September 1. To improve safety and deter crime, all sworn METRO officers, including senior leadership, will spend at least two hours per week riding buses. This initiative aims to increase police presence by 580 hours weekly.

Additionally, researchers at the University of Houston have warned of a significant spike in electricity demand. The study suggests nationwide demand could increase by 32% by 2030, driven by AI, data centers, and the electrification of industry and transport. In Texas, the growth is linked to hundreds of planned or operating data centers, raising concerns regarding grid reliability and pricing.