What to know: Midland imports nearly all of its water. So, where does the city’s water come from, and how does it get here?

Midland relies on a combination of surface water and groundwater to supply the city with drinking water. In fiscal year 2025, the city received about 66% of its water under its longstanding Colorado River Municipal Water District (CRMWD) contract, and about 10% more from its separate stake in the Ivie reservoir, according to the city’s 2025 annual financial report. Groundwater accounts for about a quarter of the city’s total water supply.

The big picture: In 1966, Midland became a municipal customer of the CRMWD. The agreement, amended in 1995, gave the city access to the district’s water through Sept. 30, 2030. The city approved a new contract in July 2025 that extended that access and takes effect Oct. 1, 2030. The city estimates $3.5 million in annual savings and $105 million over the contract’s 30-year life from the renegotiation.

Midland’s share comes from three CRMWD reservoirs: Lake J.B. Thomas, E.V. Spence and O.H. Ivie. None of the reservoirs sits above 50% capacity. As of July 29, Lake J.B. Thomas is 23.9% full, E.V. Spence is 10.8% full, and O.H. Ivie is 46.3% full.

Midland’s top stories. One quick email. Free, every Friday.
Get Midland Wrapped, our free weekly email for busy Midland residents. Each Friday, we break down the week’s most important local stories — what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next — so you can stay informed without the noise.

The city also owns groundwater rights to the T-Bar Ranch and Clearwater Ranch wellfields in Loving and Winkler counties, which draw from the Pecos Valley Aquifer, as well as the Paul Davis field in Midland County, which draws from the Ogallala and Pecos Valley Aquifers. The T-Bar Ranch was connected to Midland in 2012 with a $250mm pipeline financed with City debt, helping to secure that source for years to come.