Author: HCMUD 501

Membership & Outreach – AWBD’s Ambassadors Program

DeBra was terrified. This was her first AWBD Conference. After walking into the exhibit hall, feeling overwhelmed and out of place, DeBra went back to her hotel room. Her husband did not understand. DeBra is an outgoing, confident person. What could be so scary?

Four years later, DeBra Edwards walked up to the lectern, welcomed a room full of new AWBD members to a special breakfast, and introduced herself as AWBD’s first Ambassador.

AWBD prides itself on being a welcoming organization for all its members. Most AWBD members have been going to conference for years. Many of us had directors, consultants, and friends that showed us the ropes. When Debra suggested to AWBD’s Membership Committee that the organization offer new members some ways to feel more welcome, Mem-bership Committee Chair Rick Ellis listened up.

After DeBra joined, AWBD started a new members breakfast and introduced a “pink ribbon” for new members, to make sure that AWBD’s new members felt welcome. While the breakfast and ribbon were a good start, Debra and Rick felt like they could and should do more. DeBra suggested pairing new directors with experienced mentors.

Rick is Vice President at the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, so making members feel welcome is part of his job description. Rick had just help established AWBD’s Membership and Outreach Committee, chaired by Wendy Duncan, President of Willow Fork Drainage District and a communications consultant, who also works to make people feel welcome. DeBra, Rick, and Wendy worked with AWBD staff to develop an AWBD Ambassadors program—a titled borrowed from the Katy Chamber—to make sure that everyone who attends AWBD Conference walks in knowing someone who will help show them the ropes—not just at AWBD, but in their roles at . And not just any someone, but someone who knows and cares about AWBD and districts.

Led by Wendy and DeBra, AWBD has a great first class of Ambassadors:

  • Ms. Sabrina Alaquinez, Fort Bend Co MUD 218
  • Mr. Brandyn Cottingham, Fort Bend Co MUD 24
  • Ms. Wendy Duncan, Touchstone District Services
  • Ms. DeBra Edwards, Harris Co MUD 501
  • Mr. Craig Kalkomey, LJA Engineering, Inc.
  • Ms. Brenda Landin, TNG Utility Corporation
  • Ms. Jennifer Smith-Hicks, Accurate Meter & Supply
  • Mr. Harry Thompson, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP

If you would like to join the ranks of AWBD’s Ambassador Program, or a new member seeking an Ambassador, please email Irma Valdez. We are accepting applications.

No Trash or Recycling Collection on Tuesday, September 14th

Due to concerns related to staff safety and the potential for garbage and recycling materials to be swept into and block storm drains during the Tropical Storm Nicholas event, Texas Pride Disposal has notified MUD 501 that there will be no garbage or recycling collection services on Tuesday, September 14th.

Garbage collection will resume on the next normal collection date, Friday, September 17th. Recycling collection will resume on the next normal collection date, Tuesday, September 21st. The MUD 501 Board appreciates your patience and cooperation during this significant storm event.

Tropical Storm Nicholas

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for inland Harris County and a Tropical Storm Warning for coastal Harris County and many other surrounding counties in the Houston metropolitan area, as Tropical Storm Nicholas continues to strengthen and approach the Texas coast. Over the next several days, the Houston metropolitan area may receive significant amounts of rainfall which could result in localized flooding. There also is a risk of wind and other damage from the storm.

The District’s water operator, Environmental Development Partners (EDP), is implementing its emergency preparedness procedures, as necessary, and will continue to monitor the progress of the storm and adjust its procedures accordingly. Please contact EDP at (832) 467-1599 at any time to report issues with District facilities.

Additional information and updates about the storm are available through the following:

The District encourages you to review your emergency preparedness plan and to continue to frequently monitor information about the storm as it develops.  The District will also be providing storm related updates as appropriate on its website and through email alerts.

Smart Meter / EyeOnWater

Smart Meters

The Harris County MUD 501 Board recently completed the replacement of all water meters in the District with new ultrasonic smart meters. These meters will allow customers to monitor their water consumption on a daily basis through the Eye On Water website portal or mobile app, which may assist you with the detection of waters leaks and understanding how much water is used during irrigation and with other heavy water use activities.

Getting Started

In order to access the new smart meter tools, you first need to create a new Eye On Water account and register your smart meter. Visit https://eyeonwater.com to access the online portal or to download the mobile app. When creating the account, you will need your zip code and water service account number exactly as shown on your water bill.

Using Eye On Water

The Eye On Water portal and mobile app can help you review your water usage on a daily basis, assist with the detection of water leaks, and even allow you to set up automated leak detection alerts. For more information on viewing your water usage and setting up leak alerts, please view the videos below.

Need Assistance?

If you have any further questions or need assistance regarding your new smart meter or the Eye On Water website portal or mobile app, please contact the MUD 501 operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599.

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On August 30, 2021, MUD 500 received a report that an alligator was sighted in the far northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, along Cypress North Houston Road near the intersection with Greenhouse Road. MUD 500 obtained a nuisance control permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (required by State law to remove an alligator) and requested that its contractor search for and remove any alligator that might be present in its lakes.

This morning, MUD 500’s contractor caught and removed a 4’ 6” female alligator in the same location. MUD 500’s contractor will continue to monitor the lakes for any evidence of additional alligators and take steps to remove them if any are found.

MUD 500 requests that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Regional Flood Planning Update and Opportunity for Public Input

Following the extensive flooding experienced throughout Texas during Hurricane Harvey, in 2019 the Texas legislature created the first-ever regional and state flood planning process for Texas to try to help identify and mitigate flood risks for all Texans.  As part of this new process, the legislature tasked the Texas Water Development Board with creating regional flood planning regions based on river basins.  The regional flood planning group covering the Towne Lake community is called the Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG), and it covers all or part of 11 counties spanning from Walker County to the north all the way down to Galveston Bay and points south.  The SJRFPG and all other regional flood planning groups are required to deliver their initial regional flood plans to the Texas Water Development Board by January 10, 2023.  The Texas Water Development Board will then use all of the regional flood plans to establish the first ever State flood plan for Texas by September 1, 2024.

The SJRFPG’s main goals for its regional flood plan include identifying flood risks; establishing flood mitigation and floodplain management goals; and recommending evaluations, strategies, and projects to reduce flood risks throughout the entire region.  In order to assist with their flood plan development, SJRFPG is requesting help from the public in identifying flood-prone areas and providing general input on flood issues.  Please visit https://freese.mysocialpinpoint.com/san-jacinto-flood-plan/home_member_of_the_public/ to report areas that have experienced flooding or to provide general input on flood issues in our area.  The MUD 501 Board appreciate your assistance with this important process.

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

On August 30, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of a confirmed sighting of an approximately 4’-5’ alligator in the far northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, along Cypress North Houston Road, near the intersection with Greenhouse Road. MUD 500 has obtained the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and instructed its trapper to locate and remove the alligator. The District respectfully requests that residents of and visitors to Towne Lake refrain from interfering with its wildlife management contractor and/or any of the contractor’s lines, traps, or other equipment left in or near its lakes.

MUD 500 continues to request that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Proper Disposal of Motor Oil and Other Household Hazardous Waste

Recently, the Harris County MUD 501 Board was notified that a resident placed motor oil in their bagged garbage in their trash cart.  As you can see from the photo, when our garbage and recycling collector, Texas Pride, compacted the garbage in their truck, it resulted in an oil spill, which can be difficult and costly to address.

Please help keep our neighborhood clean by following MUD 501’s garbage and recycling guidelines, which are available at https://www.hcmud501.org/trash-recycling/#trash.  Hazardous waste items, such as liquid paints, fuels, oils, tires, pesticides, fertilizer, and batteries may not be placed in your household garbage.  Instead, you should make an appointment with Harris County’s Household Hazardous Waste facility, located at 6900 Hahl Road, Houston, Texas 77040, to properly dispose of these items.

Please visit https://www.eng.hctx.net/Consultants/Household-Hazardous/Household-Hazardous-Waste for more information on Harris County’s hazardous waste collection services, or to schedule an appointment.