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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.