Author: HCMUD 501

Regional Flood Planning Update and Opportunity for Public Input

Following the extensive flooding experienced throughout Texas during Hurricane Harvey, in 2019 the Texas legislature created the first-ever regional and state flood planning process for Texas to try to help identify and mitigate flood risks for all Texans.  As part of this new process, the legislature tasked the Texas Water Development Board with creating regional flood planning regions based on river basins.  The regional flood planning group covering the Towne Lake community is called the Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG), and it covers all or part of 11 counties spanning from Walker County to the north all the way down to Galveston Bay and points south.  The SJRFPG and all other regional flood planning groups are required to deliver their initial regional flood plans to the Texas Water Development Board by January 10, 2023.  The Texas Water Development Board will then use all of the regional flood plans to establish the first ever State flood plan for Texas by September 1, 2024.

The SJRFPG’s main goals for its regional flood plan include identifying flood risks; establishing flood mitigation and floodplain management goals; and recommending evaluations, strategies, and projects to reduce flood risks throughout the entire region.  In order to assist with their flood plan development, SJRFPG is requesting help from the public in identifying flood-prone areas and providing general input on flood issues.  Please visit https://freese.mysocialpinpoint.com/san-jacinto-flood-plan/home_member_of_the_public/ to report areas that have experienced flooding or to provide general input on flood issues in our area.  The MUD 501 Board appreciate your assistance with this important process.

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On August 30, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of a confirmed sighting of an approximately 4’-5’ alligator in the far northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, along Cypress North Houston Road, near the intersection with Greenhouse Road. MUD 500 has obtained the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and instructed its trapper to locate and remove the alligator. The District respectfully requests that residents of and visitors to Towne Lake refrain from interfering with its wildlife management contractor and/or any of the contractor’s lines, traps, or other equipment left in or near its lakes.

MUD 500 continues to request that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Proper Disposal of Motor Oil and Other Household Hazardous Waste

Recently, the Harris County MUD 501 Board was notified that a resident placed motor oil in their bagged garbage in their trash cart.  As you can see from the photo, when our garbage and recycling collector, Texas Pride, compacted the garbage in their truck, it resulted in an oil spill, which can be difficult and costly to address.

Please help keep our neighborhood clean by following MUD 501’s garbage and recycling guidelines, which are available at https://www.hcmud501.org/trash-recycling/#trash.  Hazardous waste items, such as liquid paints, fuels, oils, tires, pesticides, fertilizer, and batteries may not be placed in your household garbage.  Instead, you should make an appointment with Harris County’s Household Hazardous Waste facility, located at 6900 Hahl Road, Houston, Texas 77040, to properly dispose of these items.

Please visit https://www.eng.hctx.net/Consultants/Household-Hazardous/Household-Hazardous-Waste for more information on Harris County’s hazardous waste collection services, or to schedule an appointment.

Harris County MUD 501 Summer Community Shred Event

On June 26th, Harris County MUD 501 (MUD 501) held a community shred event at the Lakehouse. We had more than 90 residents attend the event and shredded 21 cart’s worth of documents! The MUD 501 Board wishes to thank all the residents who participated and helped to make this event a success.

Association of Water Board Directors Conference

Harris County MUD 501 (MUD 501) Board President, Wayne Tyson, and Board Secretary, DeBra Edwards, attended the 2021 Association of Water Board Directors Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 17-20, 2021 in-person. They enjoyed a unique conference experience with seminars from world-leading thinkers in water operations. The opportunity to hear industry experts explain new trends to help districts reach new heights was extraordinary. Winter Storm Uri was a hot topic. Ways to communicate with residents without the benefit of electricity was a great lesson learned. Information regarding Tax Rates in the Age of Senate Bill 2 was also very informative.

One of the most exciting moments was when MUD 501 was recognized a 2020-2021 Water Smart Partner! Water Smart is a public awareness campaign for water conservation sponsored by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board. Its message is simple: every citizen, no matter what age or where they live, has a personal responsibility to use water wisely. For more information about the Water Smart program, please visit http://awbd-tx.org/wp/water-smart.

Stay tuned for exciting events sponsored by MUD 501!

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On April 12, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of a sighting on April 11, 2021, of an approximately 6’ alligator in the southwestern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, south of Tuckerton Road near the Greenhouse Road bridge. MUD 500 immediately notified its wildlife management contractor of the sighting and directed the trapper to actively monitor for an alligator and, if one is located, to immediately remove it upon obtaining the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

MUD 500 continues to request that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Smart Meter Update

The installation of the smart meters throughout MUD 501 is anticipated to be complete by the middle of April. Following the meter installation, MUD 501’s operator will perform meter comparison testing, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of May.

Barring any unforeseen issues, the MUD 501 Board anticipates that the smart meter function will be activated sometime during late June or July. The “Eye on Water” Internet portal and smart meter app will to released to MUD 501 residents at that time, which will allow residents to sign up to monitor their water usage in near real-time, and to set up automated leak detection alerts.

The MUD 501 Board hopes to host an open house in June or July regarding the smart meters, including how to sign up for and use the “Eye on Water” Internet portal and app, and this information will be posted on our website at that time. We expect to host this event as an online event, but also hope to offer an in person option depending on any pandemic restrictions in place at the time. Any questions dealing with the smart meters and the “Eye on Water” Internet portal and app will be answered at the open house.

Additional information will be forthcoming as soon as a firm time line is established.

ALERT: Natural Gas Leak in Future Towne Lake, Section 60

Earlier this afternoon, a contractor working on the entrance to future Towne Lake, Section 60, located south of Tuckerton Road and southeast of E Hamilton Hills Drive, struck a four-inch natural gas line along E Hamilton Hills Drive.

The fire department is on the scene and monitoring air quality, but at this time expects the gas to dissipate due to the windy conditions. CenterPoint Energy also is on the scene and working to isolate and shut off the affected gas line.

Access to E Hamilton Hills Drive may be prohibited or limited throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening. Please avoid the area if possible.