· Related development
Panhandle planning group adopts the 2026 regional water plan with CRMWA II at about $800 million
The Panhandle Water Planning Group adopted the 2026 Panhandle Water Plan, which describes CRMWA II as a new 67-mile pipeline from Roberts County, costed for a 72-inch pipe, and estimates the cost of the well field expansion including the CRMWA II pipeline at about $800 million (September 2023 prices). The plan states that Amarillo considered moving its own Roberts/Ochiltree water through CRMWA II but decided to develop that water independently. The TWDB approved the 2026 regional water plans on January 22, 2026.[1][2][3]
Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA)
What the sources say
- ✓ Verified
The 2026 Panhandle Water Plan states that CRMWA plans a second pipeline (CRMWA II) providing at least 65,000 acre-feet per year, raising total capacity from the Roberts County well field to at least 130 MGD; it assumes a new 67-mile pipeline from Roberts County to CRMWA's existing system with tie-ins to Amarillo's and Pampa's systems, costed for a 72-inch pipe with final sizing to be set in design. It says the exact timing "is currently being discussed with CRMWA's member cities but is expected to occur within the next decade."[1]
- New supply acre feet per year
- 65,000
- Total capacity mgd
- 130
- Pipeline miles
- 67
- ✓ Verified
Estimate: the 2026 Panhandle Water Plan puts the cost to expand the Roberts County well field at "around $800 million," covering the CRMWA II pipeline, new wells for 80,000 acre-feet per year and well field piping, at September 2023 price levels. The TWDB's data summary of the plan lists the project "Expansion of Roberts County Well Field (Ogallala Aquifer) - CRMWA2" at $767,771,000, online decade 2030.[1][3]
- Plan estimate
- $800,000,000
- Twdb summary capital cost
- $767,771,000
- ✓ Verified
The 2026 plan states that Amarillo "considered partnering with CRMWA to move its Roberts/Ochiltree water through the CRMWA II pipeline but ultimately decided to pursue developing the water independently," and that "the former joint CRMWA and Amarillo CRMWA II pipeline will now be developed individually." It puts Amarillo's current delivery capacity from CRMWA at 42,987 acre-feet per year, which CRMWA intends to increase with CRMWA II.[1]
- Amarillo crmwa delivery capacity acre feet
- 42,987
- ✓ Verified
The Panhandle Water Planning Group adopted the 2026 plan on September 24, 2025, and the TWDB Board approved the adopted 2026 regional water plans on January 22, 2026. The TWDB's Region A data summary lists "Expand Capacity CRMWA 2" at 10,720 acre-feet per year in 2080; its Region O summary lists the same strategy at 18,699 acre-feet per year.[1][2][3]