Water

The Board of Directors (Board) of Harris County MUD 501 (District) recently made the decision to replace its existing mechanical water meters throughout the District with ultra sonic meters.

These new meters will include a smart feature, available via Internet browser and smart phone app, that provides the customers and the District the ability to monitor water use on a near-real time basis.

The District-wide meter replacement process should take approximately five months to complete, and at the conclusion of this effort the smart feature on the meters will be activated, which we anticipate to be sometime in the spring or early summer.

The Board anticipates sending out additional communications regarding this project in the coming months.

Notice of Anticipated Fees (PDF)

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.

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.

Why is My Water Usage So High?

How to Read Your Water Meter (PDF)

As a homeowner, there are several reasons why it is helpful to be able to locate and read your water meter. First, you can determine just how much water you use in a day. As an example, by reading your meter at the beginning and the end of a day you can compare the two reads and tell how much water you and your family used that day.

Another helpful tool in understanding your meter reading is to detect leaks early. If you turn off all faucets and any equipment that uses water in your home, look at your meter and the leak indicator or low flow indicator is still turning, then you have a leak somewhere. The speed at which the indicator is turning determines how large the leak is. Here are some tips to help you find and read your water meter.

Your water meter is generally located near the curb in front of your home close to the sidewalk. For a corner lot it may be on the side of your home. Water meters are typically housed in a concrete or plastic box that may be marked “water” (as shown in the above photo). Carefully remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver or pliers. Look out for “creepy crawlies” that may be using your meter box as their home!

The picture on the left shows the water meter face and how to read the meter register. For specific information on rates, billing information and FAQ’s call EDP at 832-467-1599 or visit EDP’s website at: http://www.edpwater.com and look for the link to HC MUD 501. Please also be sure to visit the FAQs page for more helpful information: https://www.edpwater.com/faqs.

Flushing of the District’s water lines will be conducted beginning on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. The flushing may continue until Monday, June 3, 2019.

During these days, you may notice discoloring of the water due to mineral sediment that is being flushed out of the system. The sediment is made of naturally occurring minerals. This sediment can cause permanent staining of clothing and some porous surfaces.

Please check the water before washing clothes or filling your pool or spa.

This flushing is being conducted to perform routine maintenance of the District’s fire hydrants and water mains. We expect to complete the work in the timeframe mentioned above; however, discolored water may persist for a short time after the work is complete.

If you have questions about this or other issues related to your water or sewer service please call us at 832-467-1599 or visit our website at www.edpwater.com.

Thank you for your patience while this important work is being performed.

Please see the attached Notice of Fee Increase from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (the “Authority”), stating that the Authority has increased its mandated surface water fee from $3.10 per 1,000 gallons, to $3.35 per 1,000 gallons, effective January 1, 2019. This fee, reflected as a separate line item on your water bill, is paid to the Authority and is used to pay for capital and operation costs of its existing surface water delivery infrastructure and the capital costs of additional new surface water delivery infrastructure. The Authority delivers surface water to your district.

For more information about the Authority, please visit: http://www.whcrwa.com.

Please see the attached Notice of Anticipated Fees from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (the “Authority”), stating that the Authority intends to increase its mandated surface water fee from $3.10 per 1,000 gallons, to $3.35 per 1,000 gallons, effective January 1, 2019. This fee, reflected as a separate line item on your water bill, is paid to the Authority and is used to pay for capital and operation costs of its existing surface water delivery infrastructure and the capital costs of additional new surface water delivery infrastructure. The Authority delivers surface water to your district.

The Notice states that the Authority expects to consider adoption of the proposed surface water fee at its November 14, 2018, Board of Directors meeting.

For more information about the Authority, please visit: http://www.whcrwa.com.