Harris County Municipal
Utility District # 208
Northwest Harris
County, Texas
INTRODUCTION
Just like many residents, we are concerned about the economic indicators, what the Internet can and cannot do, how we will finance our children's college education and how the grocery shopping will get done this week after working 60 hours. But, unlike many, we as a Board are given the charge of making sure we have quality water and an adequate supply of the same. For ten years this newsletter has been delivered to homes with the goal of keeping everyone aware of current information regarding water issues. And, as this is written, we want to make absolutely certain our residents make positive choices where water is concerned. The water issues are complex, but the choices are simple.
We Expect A Lot.
We are concerned that residents are not heeding our conservation messages. It is not unusual to see sprinklers running daily, even after a major downpour or to see water flowing down driveways while cars and pets are being cleaned.
"Yards of the Month"
If your heavily watered flowers in the front of your house look great, our work as a Board is in vain. You are expending water on flowers while we are scurrying to be compliant with local, state and federal regulations. Should you water your gardens? Of course, cautiously turning the hose on only when truly necessary. If your slightly watered front lawn is fine, you have probably practiced xeriscaping and have drought-tolerant indigenous plants and bushes, you deserve "The Yard of the Month" award.
Water, Water, Everywhere?
Recent information gathered and reported through the media suggests that droughts will be a way of life for us. If you have read anything about droughts, subsidence and fire bans in the state of Texas, you understand the challenge ahead. In fact, everyone from the Houston Chronicle to Texas Parks and Wildlife has written volumes on this subject. If you are not sharing this information with everyone in your household, you are doing them a disservice. If you are not practicing water conservation, start now. If you want to avoid severe shortages in the future, use water carefully today.
And Finally…
Water is a limited resource. We use it for everything from drinking and bathing to cooking and cleaning. The thought of no water with which to shower, swim, garden or fish is sad. If everyone saves a little, together we save a lot. So, the next time you wash clothes, do it with a full load. Or, the next showerhead you replace, keep the aerator. Moreover, reset your sprinkler system so it doesn't go off after a rain shower, or install a moisture meter. And, finally, absorb as much information on conservation as possible.
We live in a great neighborhood with many conveniences and amenities. We need to practice what we learned in Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts, to leave things in better condition than we found them!
SHALLOW
WELL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
MUD 208 will soon break ground on the construction of a new shallow well within the same vicinity of the current well, located at the facility on Shangrila.
MUD directors voted in January of this year to build the well, bids were taken and the job awarded in February, and permits from the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District were approved in July. The results will be an auxiliary well designed to augment the current water system during peaks water demand times, to help facilitate repairs on the existing well, and to alleviate some of the concerns associated with drought conditions.
The project is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2001.
CHECK
YOUR SYSTEM FOR LEAKS
One of the most significant ways in which water is needlessly wasted is through leaky pipes, hoses and connections. Here is a simple way to assess whether you are one of the households paying for water you aren't using!
1. Find your water meter.
Wherever the water line enters you home, you will find your water meter. If you are unsure where this is, make sure to call our operator for further instruction.
2. Read the
meter twice.
The first reading should be taken at night, after the day's water use has ended, and again in the morning, before any water is used.
3. Find the
difference.
Subtract the first reading from the second reading to tell how much (if any) water leaked overnight.
4. Look for
leaks.
Most leaks occur in pipes, hoses and connections inside and outside the house. Toilets account for a majority of household water leaks. Have these repaired as quickly as possible.
For further information, contact our operator, H2O Consulting, 281-861-6215.
MUD
208 WEBSITE ONLINE
Understanding the value of keeping residents informed, along with our newsletter publications, MUD 208 has developed a website for residents.
What You Can Find:
Water Board Directors and their terms.
Consultants Directory
Customer Page detailing deposit amounts and procedures
Drinking Water Quality Report
Water Rate Order, including Conservation Rate Schedule
Security Deposit Refund Policy
Photos of District Facilities
Water Trouble Spot Checklist
Newsletters
Additional Water Websites
Drought Contingency Plan
As information is available, the site will be updated with pertinent details. When surfing the net, next time we hope you will access the MUD 208 site,
www.harriscountymud208.com
PREPARE YOUR HOME
FOR WINTER
Proper winterizing as the weather cools down can save you headaches, time and money. Here are a few easy recommendations for preserving your home:
Outside Plumbing
1. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. This will protect your investment in the hoses and connected faucets. Covering the faucet with insulation is also a good idea.
2. Insulate exposed pipes or faucets in unheated areas. Local hardware stores carry a variety of pipe insulation materials, including insulating tape and molded pipe sleeves.
3. Locate and identify the master shutoff. If you have a freezing problem, it can be found quickly.
4. Drain outdoor sprinklers. Check manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to do this.
5. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house. This will stop cold winter wind from blowing into the house and accelerating the freezing process.
Inside Plumbing
1. Wrap all pipes in unheated areas. Make sure to check crawl spaces, attic, garage, etc. Use materials as suggested for outdoor facilities.
2. Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms. Water lines that supply the kitchen and bathroom may run along the outside walls of your house. Any air leaks in siding or insulation may result in frozen pipes. Allowing warm air to reach these areas will prevent a mishap.
3. Shut off and drain your water system if you will be gone for an extended time. After turning off the water heater, turn off the main shut-off valve. Then, go through your house and turn on all sinks, faucets, showers, tubs, etc and flush the toilets. Draining all the water will prevent frozen pipes from breaking while you are gone.
If Your Pipes Freeze
1. Do not leave pipes unattended. Lines will thaw slowly, but safely using hair dryers, heat lamps or electric lamps.
2. Don’t use an open flame to thaw frozen water pipes. This is a serious threat to catching your house on fire. Electric arc welders should also not be used. This can also cause fires, or burn out the motors of your freezer and refrigerator.
3. Work from the open faucet toward the frozen area. This will prevent steam from being trapped by ice and busting the pipe. With the faucet open, you can determine when the ice has melted.
4. Call for help. H2O can provide advice for problem areas that do not respond to the conventional methods previously described. (281-861-6215).
If Your Pipes are Broken
1. Shut off the water and water heater. If you are unable to find the master shut-off valve, or have water leaking in the house from a broken pipe, call H2O Consulting for assistance in turning the water off at the meter, 281-861-6215. Repair of broken pipes on the resident’s side of the meter is the homeowner’s responsibility and should be fixed by a plumber.
DISTRICT
FACES CHALLENGE OF SURFACE WATER CONVERSION
The
Problem is Subsidence.
MUD 208 is currently supplying water through a well that taps into the Edwards Aquifer. Like many municipal districts in this area, we are faced with the challenge of finding a surface water supply to help reverse the complicated situation known as Subsidence, or the gradual sinking of the land as it shifts from water being withdrawn.
Little
Replacement
MUD 208 has experienced this decline first hand as we have witnessed a 15'-16' per year draw down on the static water level in our well. Although we have made upgrades to the facility, it is reported that only 12% of the rain that falls actually gets back into the aquifer. Drought conditions over the past five years coupled with the extensive growth in this area have acted as a catalyst for subsidence.
The
Alternative
The Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District was created by the state to regulate groundwater use in our area. They have issued orders to convert Region 3, including our area's water supply to surface water, or water drawn from rivers, lakes, etc.
The
Plan
By 2003, we must be a participant in a Groundwater Reduction Plan detailing a 20% reduction in water drawn from the ground or be penalized with a disincentive fee of $3.00 per 1,000 gallons on 80% of pumped water.
Water
Will Cost More Money
As MUD 208 Directors evaluate various strategies to tap into surface water supplies, one reality becomes increasingly clear; water will cost more money for the district and its residents. Current projections estimate the average homeowner's water bill will double or triple in the future.
As further studies are completed and recommendations made, the Board will continue to keep residents informed of the actions to be taken. Updates will be communicated through the newsletter and on our new website.
To learn more about this and other water issues, you may access the following websites:
Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District- www.subsidence.org
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission- www.tnrcc.state.tx.org
City of Houston- www.ci.houston.tx.us
MUD
208 TAXES REDUCED
In their September monthly meeting, the Board of Directors voted to reduce the MUD 208 property tax rate from $0.575 per $100 assessed valuation to $0.54848 cents, a savings of $0.02652.
As a reminder, these rates are for MUD 208 only. Other entities such as the School District and the Hopital District set their own rates. Any questions regarding the property taxes can be directed to our tax consultant, Bob Leared Interests, 713-932-9011.