Harris County MUD 360 is experiencing electric issues at the water plant. In order to keep the water system pressurized, we are opening the emergency interconnect with a neighboring District while we investigate the source of the problem.

This may lead to changes in the taste, smell, feel, and appearance of the water supplied to you. Please know that even if you experience aesthetic changes to your water, it is still safe to drink.

If you are experiencing water quality issues, we recommend opening up a hose or bathroom faucet towards the back of your home for a few minutes to flush the water from your internal plumbing. If after a few minutes you are still experiencing issues, please contact our Operator, MDS, at 281-290-6500 or www.mdswater.com.

We have confirmed a water main break near Sandler Bend and Laken Rd. In order to make repairs to the water line, we have isolated the leak, causing a service interruption to about 25 homes in the area. We are diligently working to make repairs and restore water service as soon as possible.

With freezing temperatures right around the corner, it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on precautionary measures for drops in temperature and cold weather.

The Four P’s to Prepare your Home this Winter:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• Plants

People

• Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
• To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
• Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

• While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
• Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
• If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
• If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
• If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

• Turn off the sprinkler system shut-off valve. Most residential devices have two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue on the valve handles and located before and after the sprinkler system backflow device. A diagram is shown below.
• Release the water pressure from the bleeder valves. The bleeder valves are usually located under the top of the backflow device. If the water does not stop flowing you may have not shut the valves off completely.
• Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware/home services stores carry backflow insulation supplies.
• Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip as long as they are wrapped tightly.
• You can also open up the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

• When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all of your outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Other Tips

• Don’t forget to make sure your car is okay for the freezing temperatures. Check your anti-freeze and your batteries. Also make sure to check your tire pressure and the tread.
• Speaking of cars, make sure when you are on the road that you are mindful parts of the roads may be frozen, particularly bridges. Do not speed and never slam on the brakes.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) has terminated Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan effective immediately. As a participant with the NHCRWA, Harris County MUD 360 has also terminated Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan, effective immediately.

Thank you for your efforts conserving water during this year’s drought.

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) has TERMINATED Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan effective immediately. Please note that Stage 1, voluntary water conservation, is still in effect until further notice. As a participant with the NHCRWA, Harris County MUD 360 is required to implement Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) immediately.

• Repair detectible water leaks within 72 hours of discovery;
• Utilize water conservation measures such as displacement bags, low-flow shower heads and leak detection tablets;
• Limit outdoor irrigation to the hours 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day on no more than two (2) days per week, in conformity with the following schedule (no watering on Mondays):
• 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; and
• Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers
• No watering on Monday

Compliance with the above requirements is VOLUNTARY.

Additionally, customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue non-essential water uses such as vehicle washing, power washing, gutter flushing, and refilling swimming pools, hot tubs or aesthetic fountains (except those that support aquatic life).

We appreciate your water conservation efforts and look forward to providing additional information in the near future.

At its regular Board meeting September 11, 2023, the Board of Directors of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) voted to reduce water rates. The Board reduced surface water rates from $4.55 to $4.05 per 1,000 gallons and groundwater pumpage fees from $4.10 to $3.60 per 1,000 gallons. This is the second time in eight months the Authority has made rate reductions, making a total of $1.00 per thousand gallons of usage, or approximately 20% and 22% rate cuts, respectively. The new rates will go into effect October 1, 2023.

Board President and Director Mark Ramsey commented: “When our board addressed rates at the beginning of the year, we acted cautiously but with the stated intent to re-examine NHCRWA finances later in the year. This recent review revealed more revenue thus far in 2023 than had been anticipated earlier in the year, clearly enabling these additional rate cuts. The combined cuts will save NHCRWA ratepayers approximately $60,000,000 per year. Board Members and NHCRWA staff continue to search for additional ways to save ratepayers money while preserving quantity and quality of water supplies for North Harris County residents.”

The loss in water pressure experienced on Wednesday, September 6 around 9pm was due to an electrical issue at the water plant. The issue was resolved and service restored around 10pm.

Dear Harris County MUD 360 Customer

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) has implemented Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plans. As a participant with the NHCRWA, Harris County MUD 360 is required to implement Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) immediately.

• Repair detectible water leaks within 72 hours of discovery;
• Utilize water conservation measures such as displacement bags, low-flow shower heads and leak detection tablets;
• Limit outdoor irrigation to the hours 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day on no more than two (2) days per week, in conformity with the following schedule (no watering on Mondays):
• 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; and
• Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers
• No watering on Monday

Compliance with the above requirements is mandatory.

Additionally, customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue non-essential water uses such as vehicle washing, power washing, gutter flushing, and refilling swimming pools, hot tubs or aesthetic fountains (except those that support aquatic life).

We appreciate your water conservation efforts and look forward to providing additional information in the near future.

Harris County MUD 360

Waterline repairs have been completed and traffic diversion has ended.