Author: HCMUD 501

Freezing Weather Notification

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday morning (12/23 – 12/24). In such conditions, it is imperative to protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People

  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

As it pertains to the dripping of faucets, we are asking and advising our residents and customers NOT to drip their faucets. This could cause a dip in water pressure at your facility. If you reside within the greater Houston area and are part of the Regional Water Authorities (West Harris County Regional Water Authority, North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority, North Harris County Regional Water Authority), or receive water from the City of Houston, dripping faucets will put a strain on the system resulting in low pressure or even depleting the water system.

The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated:

Message from Texas Pride Regarding Garbage Collection Service Update – Friday, December 23rd

As our team’s safety is our number one priority, garbage services will be on a delayed start on Friday, December 23rd to avoid any issues with frozen roadways and hypothermia with our crew members.  At this time, we do not know what time routes will be starting, so we ask that you continue to place your garbage out by 7:00 a.m. on Friday.

We appreciate your understanding and respect for the well-being of our team, and wish everyone happy holidays!

Drought Stage 1 Rescinded

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 501 (MUD 501) has rescinded Stage 1 (voluntary) water conservation measures for potable (drinking) water. 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 rescinded its Stage 1 (voluntary) water conservation measures for their  potable water usage.

The Board of Directors appreciates your cooperation and perseverance during this Conservation Condition.

City of Houston Boil Water Notice

There is NO boil water notice in effect for Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 500, which provides water service to Towne Lake residents in the District and Harris County Municipal Utility District Nos. 500, 502, and 503. The City of Houston has issued a Boil Water Notice for their water system and other systems affected by the City’s issue. While local media (and social media) are reporting boil water notices for the City and those other Water Districts in our area, these notices do not pertain to Harris County MUD No. 500 receivers, including the District. Again, Harris County MUD No. 500 is not currently under a Boil Water Notice.

In the event a Boil Water Notice needs to be issued for our MUD, notification will be provided. For immediate and up-to-date 24/7 information, you can always reach EDP’s 24-hour Customer Service line at (832) 467-1599.

2022 Winter Newsletter

Newsletter features include:

  • Happy Holidays!
  • Featured Director: John Casey
  • Association of Water Board Directors – Summer Conference
  • 2022 Tax Rate Information
  • Preparing for a Storm
  • Smart Meters
  • Ongoing Construction Projects in Towne Lake
  • MUD 500 Updates

Read 2022 Winter newsletter.

Recycling Collection Alert

The MUD 501 Board received reports today of missed recycling pick ups in some areas in the District yesterday, Tuesday, July 19th.

We understand from the MUD 501 garbage and recycling provider, Texas Pride, that a backup crew serviced the District on Tuesday due to a family emergency for the regular driver, and the backup crew may have missed collection of some carts placed at the regular garage door location.

Texas Pride has stated they will send a recycling collection crew through tomorrow, Thursday, July 21st, to collect any remaining recycling materials placed either curbside or in front of your garage door visible from the street.  We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

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.