Author: HCMUD 501

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On August 30, 2020, MUD 500 received a report of a confirmed sighting of an approximately 3’-4’ alligator in the northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, north of Cypress North Houston Blvd., near the new marina. 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.

Weather Update

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane watch for Harris County and the surrounding counties in the Houston metropolitan area, as Hurricane Laura continues to strengthen and approach the Texas coast. Over the next several days, the Houston metropolitan area may receive significant amounts of rainfall which could result in localized flooding. There also is a risk of wind and other damage from the storm.

MUD 501’s (the District) water and sewer system operator, Environmental Development Partners (EDP), is implementing its emergency preparedness procedures, as necessary, and will continue to monitor the progress of the storm and adjust its procedures accordingly. Please contact EDP at (832) 467-1599 at any time to report issues with District facilities.

Additional information and updates about the storm are available through the following:

The District encourages you to review your emergency preparedness plan and to continue to frequently monitor information about the storm as it develops. The District will also be providing storm related updates as appropriate on its website and through email alerts.

Towne Lake Teamwork At Its Best

What do Caldwell Companies, the Heritage Homeowner’s Association and Harris County MUD 501 all have in common?  They are presently working together to bring about one of Towne Lake’s newest residential development projects which will be located along the south shoreline of Towne Lake, adjacent to the Heritage, Towne Lake’s prestigious over 55 active adult community. This development will eventually result in ninety-two new homes being added to the Heritage.  But there’s an interesting back story on how this all came about.

So, what makes this project unique from others within Towne Lake?  First of all this particular tract of land was originally owned by Lone Star College, but after several years of discussion and negotiations Caldwell Companies purchased it in 2019. Acquiring this valuable piece of property on the lake was a win for Caldwell Companies.

But what about the other entities involved in this project?  Under Lone Star’s ownership MUD 501 received no tax revenue for the property. Once Caldwell Companies fully develops the property, MUD 501 (which will build, own and maintain the water, sewer and drainage facilities) will receive a new stream of tax revenue that should help to reduce the tax rate for all MUD 501 tax payers over the long term.  A win for MUD 501 and its taxpayers.

After the property was acquired, Caldwell Companies began a discussion with the Heritage community to annex this property into its boundaries. Caldwell Companies felt residential land use harmonious with the Heritage was the best use of the land. This was not a simple exercise as any type of annexation requires approval from a vote of Heritage residents. There were many questions presented by Heritage residents to both Caldwell Companies representatives and the Heritage HOA board, and after several community wide meetings the residential vote passed decisively and the annexation was approved.  These new homes will be good for the Heritage for several reasons, including the addition of a new set of neighbors and additional HOA fees that can be used by the Heritage for improvements or HOA fee reductions. A win for Heritage residents.

The land plan for the property has been submitted for approval from Harris County and the City of Houston, streets have been named and infrastructure construction activities should begin soon with new home construction following in the first quarter of 2021.  This is a win-win-win for all of the entities involved, and a great example of how focused leadership and teamwork can help continue making Towne Lake the premier residential community in Cypress, Texas.

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On July 28, 2020, MUD 500 received a report of a sighting of an alligator in the southern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, east of the Greenhouse Road Bridge and behind San Solomon Springs Court. 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.

Save Money by Saving Water on Your Landscape Watering

Landscape watering is the largest consumer of water.

Spring is the time to turn your sprinkler system on. Before you do, you need to make sure that the components of your sprinkler system are working properly.

  1. Check the controller to make sure the number of days you water is correct and that the length of time each station runs meets the needs of the plants that are being watered. If you see water running down the street during or after you water your lawn you need to shorten the amount of time you are watering each station.
  2. Check for broken pipes in your system by looking for pooling water or soft wet spots in your yard.
  3. Check for and replace broken sprinkler heads.
  4. Adjust the sprinkler heads so that they are watering the correct area and not your fence, your house and or the street.

If you are not able to do this yourself, then contact a licensed sprinkler/irrigation company to check your system and then have them make any needed repairs.

Notice of Cancellation – Electronic Waste Pickup and Document Shredding Event

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines, the HC MUD 501 Board has cancelled the electronic waste pickup and document shredding event scheduled for Saturday, April 18th.

The HC MUD 501 Board expects to reschedule the event when it is safe to do so and will send out notice of the new date when available.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19.

MUD 501 Update Regarding City of Houston Water Main Break

MUD 501 receives drinking water from MUD 500, in its capacity as Master District. The water source for MUD 500 is the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (“WHCRWA”), which obtains treated surface water from the City of Houston (“City”).

As you may be aware, in response to a 96” water main break in the City’s system around noon yesterday, the City issued a Boil Water Notice yesterday evening. Please be aware that the WHCRWA is not issuing or requiring systems receiving water from the WHCRWA, including MUD 501, to issue a Boil Water Notice.

According to correspondence from the WHCRWA operator, which is available here, the drinking water supplied to the WHCRWA, including the MUD 501 water supply, has not been affected by the City’s water main break and continues to remain in compliance with all state and federal requirements.

Career Day

MUD 501 Director, DeBra Edwards, participated in Career Day at Watkins Middle School on February 4, 2020.