Additional Information on Stage 2 Drought Conditions

Since the District implemented Stage 2 (mandatory reductions) drought conditions on August 18, 2023, we have received a number of questions regarding the need for the mandatory potable water reductions and the timing for outdoor potable water use.  Please see additional clarifying information below.

Stage 2 Trigger.  Under the District’s Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 2 is triggered when demand on the District’s potable water supply facilities meets or exceeds 90% of the production capacity for 5 consecutive days.  Please note that the City of Houston, which supplies potable water to the Harris County MUD 500 Master District Service Area (consisting of Harris County MUD Nos. 500, 501, 502, and 503) via the West Harris County Regional Water Authority, also has triggered Stage 2 (mandatory reductions) of their Drought Contingency Plan effective August 27th due to the length and severity of the ongoing extreme heat and drought conditions.

Restriction on Hours for Watering.  As previously noted, under Stage 2 of the District’s Drought Contingency Plan, users are directed not to use potable water outdoors between the morning hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 a.m., and between the evening hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight.  These restrictions are put in place because those morning and evening hours are when demand on the potable water system is at its peak.  Outdoor watering during those times puts further stress on the system and increases the risk of reductions in system pressure, mechanical failures, and other issues.

If you have any additional questions about the current drought response measures, please contact the District’s operator, Environmental Development Partners, LLC, at (832) 467-1599.  Thank you for your continued attention to this matter.

Temporary Change to Collection Hours for Texas Pride Disposal

The MUD 501 Board approved a request by its garbage and recycling provider, Texas Pride Disposal, to begin garbage and recycling collection services at 6 a.m. (an hour earlier than usual) during periods of extreme heat. This temporary schedule change is for the safety of the workers. Please place your garbage in trash cans or bags at the curb or near your garage in a location visible from the street by 6:00 a.m. on each Tuesday and Friday collection day.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit the MUD 501 Trash and Recycling page, at https://www.hcmud501.org/trash-recycling, or contact Texas Pride at (281) 342-8178 ( M-Th, 8:00-5:00; F 8:00-4:00 ).

Harris County Municipal Utility District 501

Through HCMUD 501’s website you can easily find links to the following services:

Tax Rate

Information about the District required by Section 26.18, Texas Tax Code, created by Senate Bill 2 (also known as the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019), is available here: https://bli-tax.com/harris-county-mud-501

For the 2022 tax year, Harris County MUD 501 levied a total ad valorem tax of $0.9289 on each $100 of taxable property within Harris County MUD 501 consisting of the following three components:

  • $0.6789 to pay the District’s contract tax
  • $0.20 to pay the District’s debt service
  • $0.05 to fund the District’s maintenance and operation expenditures