Author: HCMUD 501

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions

Dear Customer:

Due to ongoing drought conditions, Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 501 (MUD 501) has initiated Stage 1 (voluntary) water conservation measures for potable (drinking) water and is requesting that all potable water users reduce their usage immediately. The West Harris County Regional Water Authority, which provides potable water to Harris County MUD No. 500’s Service Area, including MUD 501, also has initiated its Stage 1 (voluntary) water conservation measures and is requesting that all water users voluntarily reduce their potable water usage. Potable water usage is increasing rapidly and under MUD 501’s Drought Contingency Plan, we may be required to implement mandatory water use restrictions if conditions continue to worsen. MUD 501 needs your help to reduce potable water usage and avoid the need for mandatory restrictions!

Stage 1 (Voluntary) water use restrictions now in place:

Customers are requested to voluntarily limit all outdoor potable water usage, including, but not limited to, lawn and garden watering, car washing, and window washing, as follows:

  1. District residents and other users of water within the District with even-numbered addresses should use potable water outdoors only on even-numbered days, and District residents and other users of water within the District with odd-numbered addresses should use potable water outdoors only on odd-numbered days. In the event no street address exists, District residents and other users of water within the District lining on the north and west side of the street should use potable water outdoors only on even-numbered days, and District residents and other users of water within the District on the south and east side of the street should use potable water outdoors only on odd-numbered days.
  2. Potable water should not be used outdoors for irrigation or other uses in the morning between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 am, and in the evening between the hours of 6:00 pm and 12:00 am (midnight).

Please check the settings on the controller for your irrigation system to make adjustments to the dates and times the system runs to implement these requested changes. Please note that the Towne Lake Community Association uses non-potable water from the lakes for irrigation of certain common areas throughout the Towne Lake community, which helps to reduce demand on the potable water system and preserve the availability of potable water for other uses.

MUD 501 will continue to monitor potable water use and will provide another notice if the drought stage changes or if Stage 1 drought conditions have been lifted. The MUD 501 Board of Directors appreciates your cooperation and perseverance during this challenging time.

Suspension of Recycling Collection Services – July 12, 2022

Harris County MUD 501’s garbage and recycling provider, Texas Pride, has notified MUD 501 that they are experiencing a surge in COVID cases, which has impacted their level of service.  As a result, Texas Pride has suspended recycling collection services on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.  Recycling collection will resume next week on Tuesday, July 19th.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this service interruption.

If you have any additional questions or service issues, please contact Texas Pride, at (281) 342-8178, or service@texaspridedisposal.com.

Recycling Collection Update – June 29, 2022

The District was notified early this morning that Texas Pride Disposal was unable to complete the recycling collection yesterday due to mechanical issues with a collection truck.

The remainder of the route will be completed today. The District appreciates your patience.

For any additional questions or concerns, please contact Texas Pride Disposal at (281) 342-8178 or service@texaspridedisposal.com.

MUD 500 Construction of Water Well No. 1

Harris County MUD 500, or the Master District, provides regional water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, park, road, and other regional facilities necessary to serve its Service Area, which includes the property within MUD 500, MUD 501, MUD 502, and MUD 503 in the Towne Lake community. For several years, MUD 500 has been undertaking efforts to improve the water supply resiliency in the community, particularly during emergency conditions. One of the projects that is a part of these efforts is the construction of the District’s first water well, which will be located at Water Plant No. 1.

Currently, MUD 500 obtains its potable water from surface water provided by the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (Authority). In emergency circumstances, where the Authority is unable to provide water, the Master District opens an interconnect with the neighboring Remington MUD 1, which supplies groundwater pumped from its wells. MUD 500 currently does not own or operate any water wells. However, to improve resiliency in the community, particularly in area-wide emergency situations like Winter Storm Uri where the Authority was unable to provide water to MUD 500 and other districts, MUD 500 been working to construct its first water well, which will be located at Water Plant No. 1. Following advertisement for competitive bids, MUD 500 recently awarded the construction contract for the water well and expects construction to begin in approximately May 2022.

MUD 500 will use its best efforts to minimize impact to nearby residents, but adjacent homeowners may experience some noise and other impacts as construction progresses.

To stay up to date on MUD 500 projects and information, please visit the MUD 500 website, at https://www.hcmud500.org/, and sign up for MUD 500 e-mail alerts.

2022 Spring Newsletter

Newsletter features include:

  • Welcome New Director, Jared Day
  • Featured Director and Board Vice President, Jonathan Cowen
  • Rising Cost of Water
  • Tax Rate Information
  • Eye On Water
  • Water Conservation
  • Spring Community Shred Event
  • Garbage & Recycling Dos & Don’ts
  • Are You Emergency Prepared?
  • MUD 500 Updates

Read 2022 Spring newsletter.

MUD 501 New Director

The Board of Directors of MUD 501 is pleased to welcome Jared Day as a new director. He fills the unexpired term of George Gentry who recently resigned. Mr. Day, a business development director, is very active in the Towne Lake community. He is a member of the WATCH D.O.G.S. at Rennell Elementary and Anthony Middle School. Mr. Day is a founder of the Towne Lake Men’s Association, a board member of the Towne Lake Wake Swim Team, a member of the Towne Lake Social Committee and a committee member of Cy-Fair Sports Association football and a committee member FSA baseball.

Mr, Day and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children who participate in many Towne Lake activities.

Mark Your Calendars for the Spring 2022 Community Shred Event

As you know, over the past several years, the MUD 501 Board has worked with its garbage and recycling provider to host community shred events for District residents.  In order to allow for all Towne Lake residents to participate, the MUD 501 Board has partnered with the Towne Lake Community Association for the Towne Lake Foundation to host the next community shred event, on Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.  In order to accommodate the expected larger turnout, the event has been relocated to the Towne Lake Amphitheater, located at the southwest corner of Tuckerton and Towne Lake Parkway behind Kroger.  Please bring a current utility bill or other proof of residence to the event.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Towne Lake Document Shred Event (PDF)

Winterization Tips

With freezing weather predicted to occur over the next several days in the Houston area, it’s time to protect your pipes!  As many people found out in February 2021 during Winter Storm Uri, when a severe storm occurs and you haven’t made adequate preparations, the results can be disastrous.  When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands.  The resulting pressure can cause the pipe to burst.  A few simple steps now can save you a lot of money later.  The District recommends the following:

  • Insulate any and all pipes that are exposed to cold air. Hardware and building supply stores sell pipe insulation materials that are easy to install.  If you use electric heat tape, be sure it is UL listed and that any extension cords are properly grounded.
  • Winterize your irrigation system by closing the main irrigation valve, draining the system, and wrapping the backflow preventer and any above-ground pipes and valves with insulation.
  • Drain any standing water from outdoor faucets and hoses and wrap with insulation.
  • If the temperature is expected to stay below freezing for several hours, it’s a good idea to cut off the water to your home and drain the pipes.
  • Many water lines are installed behind cabinets and in the attic. Keeping the doors to cabinets, closets, and the attic open during the coldest periods may allow your interior heat to help protect the pipes. IF YOU LEAVE CABINETS OPEN, PLEASE REMOVE ANY CLEANING SUPPLIES OR CHEMICALS TO KEEP CHILDREN OR PETS FROM GETTING TO THEM!
  • If you plan to be away for several days during expected freezing weather, don’t turn off your heat. Keeping the air in the 60s will help keep your pipes warm.  Better yet, cut off the water to your home and drain the pipes.