Utilities

ELECTRICITY

Pearland, along with the majority of Texas, enjoys a deregulated energy market, thus providing electricity customers with a selection of retail providers and open market competition.

The primary electrical provider in the Houston region is CenterPoint Energy (CNP) and it serves as the local PUC-regulated Transmission and Distribution Utility or “local wires company.” In a deregulated market, customers can choose their retail electric provider, but CNP maintains the power poles and wires between power generation facilities and customers and responding to all service interruptions. CNP owns and operates 3,805 circuit miles of overhead and 26 miles of underground electric transmission lines, 29,525 circuit miles of overhead and 26,520 miles of underground distribution lines, 239 major substation sites with a capacity of 69,915 megavolt amperes and 13 regional service centers.

Unique to Texas is the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). ERCOT ensures the reliability of electricity transmission by managing the incoming and outgoing supply of electricity over the electrical grid. They also provide real-time guidance for generation and transmission companies, helping maintain balance and reduce interruptions.

Sensitive to preserving natural resources and implanting the newest of technologies, the majority of electric power generation in Texas is provided by wind, solar, nuclear, gas and coal sources.

NATURAL GAS

CenterPoint Energy is the natural gas provider in Pearland and the Greater Houston area–an area in excess of 5,000 square miles.

Large industrial consumers may purchase gas by other means, including long-term contracts for the supply of natural gas. Contract rates depend on a number of factors, including: proximity to a major pipeline, customer’s overall demand, current market conditions and anticipated market conditions.

WATER & WASTEWATER

The City of Pearland provides water and wastewater services to all businesses and residents inside the city limits. Pearland’s water infrastructure consists of approximately 40,000 water connections fed by 13 water plants, 12 wells and two surface water connections. The total capacity of the water system is 34.4 million gallons per day (MGD). In 2020, the average utilization for the water system was 10.6 MGD, leaving an excess available capacity of 23.8 MGD. The historic peak day of the potable water system is 25.7 MGD.

The city also has five wastewater treatment plants with a total capacity of 16.45 MGD. In 2020, the average utilization for the wastewater system was 9.8 MGD, leaving an excess available capacity of 6.7 MGD. The historic peak day of the wastewater system is 13.2 MGD.