District Response to Drought Conditions in Houston Area

Due to current drought conditions in the Houston area, the District requests that all customers immediately begin implementing the following actions:

• Limit irrigation to no more than two (2) days per week, between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. following the schedules below:
  • Sundays and Thursdays for single family residential customers with even-numbered street addresses.
  • Saturdays and Wednesdays for single family residential customers with odd-numbered street addresses.
  • Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers.
  • No watering on Mondays.
• Check for and repair all leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
• Utilize water conservation measures such as displacement bags, low-flow shower heads and leak detection tablets.
• Additional water conservation tips can be found www.irrygator.com.

These measures are voluntary, but should drought conditions worsen, mandatory measures may be implemented.

For more information on drought conditions in the area and voluntary water conservation measures being implemented by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority, please visit: https://www.nhcrwa.com/2023/08/nhcrwa-stage-1-drought-contingency-plan/

The HCFCD will be holding a community engagement meeting regarding the maintenance of Cypress Creek and its Tributaries on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at www.publicinput.com/ccmm3 or by phone at 1-855-925-2801 with meeting code: 4789.

The purpose of this meeting is to inform residents about the project’s status, share project information and gather important community input on this effort.

The meeting will begin with a presentation to share project updates and will be followed by a moderated Q&A session where residents will be able to submit questions, comments and concerns. To fill out a comment form online please click on the following link: https://www.hcfcd.org/Activity/Active-Projects/Cypress-Creek/CI-012-Major-Maintenance-of-Cypress-Creek-and-Tributaries

This year’s Hurricane Preparedness week is April 30 through May 6, 2023.

It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Learn how during Hurricane Preparedness Week (April 30 – May 6, 2023). Hurricanes.gov/Prepare or  www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep

Sunday, April 30- Determine your Risk
Monday, May 1 – Develop an Evacuation Plan
Tuesday, May 2- Assemble Disaster Supplies

Wednesday, May 3 – Get an Insurance Checkup
Thursday, May 4 – Strengthen your Home
Friday, May 5 – Help your Neighbor
Saturday, May 6 – Complete a Written Plan

April 22 – 24, 2023 is the 2023 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday in the State of Texas. You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, and ending at midnight on Monday, April 24. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to issue an exemption certificate to claim the exemption. Please visit the Texas Comptroller’s Website for more information, including a list of qualifying and excluded supplies. Hurricane Season is just around the corner. Don’t wait until the next storm is in the Gulf before preparing yourself and your family.

At its January 9, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, the Board of Directors of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) voted to reduce surface water rates and groundwater pumpage fees. These fees are charged to all MUD districts in the NHCRWA jurisdiction. The surface water/pumpage fees are passed on to all residents via a line item on the monthly water bill. The NHCRWA reduced surface water rates from $5.05 to $4.55 per 1,000 gallons and groundwater pumpage fees from 4.60 to $4.10 per 1,000 gallons. These rate cuts, the first cuts in the history of NHCRWA, will go into effect February 1, 2023.

Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc. (MOC) staff will be mobilized and standing by to deal with water main breaks and water plant issues. If you experience a pipe freeze on your side of your water meter, outside your home, MOC can only turn your water off at the meter. If you have a pipe broken inside your home, you can isolate your private cut off which is usually located on the side of your home below your water spigot, or inside the garage. It’s a good idea to have the names of a couple of plumbers should you need them, as MOC does not repair homeowner private water lines.

Freeze Preparation Tips

1. Wrap outdoor and garage pipes.
2. Remove water hoses and wrap water spigot with towels and/or heat tape.
3. Drain and turn off sprinkler system.
4. Turn off water to your washer if it is in the garage.
5. If you leave your house before a freeze, turn off the water at your private cut off valve and leave your heat on.

Protect your pipes when it freezes

1. Open cabinets under sinks to let your house’s heat warm the pipes.
2. If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at your private cut off valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into the house after they thaw.
3. Let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through your indoor faucets before you go to sleep.

***Check your Insurance coverage. Flood insurance does not pay for damaged caused by a freeze.

There is no boil water notice in effect for Harris County MUD 364 residents or businesses.  The City of Houston has issued a Boil Water Notice for their water system and other systems effected by the City’s issue. While local media (and social media) are reporting boil water notices for the City and some other Water Districts in our area, however these notices do not pertain to Harris County MUD 364 receivers, as the District maintains independent water production facilities. Again, Harris County MUD 364 is not currently under a Boil Water Notice.

In the event a Boil Water Notice needs to be issued for our community, notification will be provided. For immediate and up-to-date 24/7 information, you can always reach out to Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc’s 24-hour Customer Service line at (281) 367-5511.