Water

Dear Residents:

The Board of Directors for Montgomery County Municipal Utility District (the “District”) wishes to clarify inaccurate information that was stated in an e-mail sent out by the Legends Ranch Property Owners Association (“POA”) on October 9, 2023.

The District did not increase its water rates for residential users and did not increase the POA’s water bill by 422%.  The District did not, and has no plans to, increase its residential water rate.  At its August meeting, the District increased its “Public Space User” water rate, which applies equally to the POA and the Legends Run Homeowners Association–thirteen irrigation meters in total.  These irrigation meters irrigate public space/common areas.  The District increased this rate from $0.45 per 1,000 gallons of water used to $1.90, which equals the District’s cost to produce such water and the first “Public Space User” rate increase since creation of the District in 2001.  While this component of the water bill was raised by approximately 422%, the total water rate includes components from the San Jacinto River Authority (“SJRA”) and Lonestar Groundwater Conservation District (“LSGCD”) which are out of the District’s control.  The POA’s e-mail misstated the impact this increase will have on its total water rate – which will rise from approximately $3.825 per 1,000 gallons of water used to $5.275.  This “Public Space User” rate increase reflects an approximate 38% increase to the POA’s water bill – not a 422% change.

The increase will not increase the POA’s irrigation water bill by “hundreds of thousands of dollars” as stated by the POA.  Based on the previous two-year history of water use by the POA, should the POA continue to use similar amounts of water, its water bill would increase by approximately $1,504.00 per month.  Should the POA choose to pass this cost onto its residents (which is a discretionary choice by the POA, not the District), it could do so by charging each lot within the POA an additional $11.95 per year, or less than $1 per month. Should the POA reduce their average water usage by 28%, there would be no financial impact to its annual bill. For more detail, please visit the linked presentation, specifically, slides 12, 13 and 14: mcmud089_townhallpresentation_20231010.pdf – Google Drive.

This was not done to “punish” the POA.  The “Public Space User” water rate increase was enacted by all the MUDs that share our water facilities (the District, Spring Creek Utility District, and Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 88) and applies to all homeowner associations in those districts.  The District’s goal in increasing the “Public Space User” water rate was to put a financial incentive in place to encourage homeowner associations to practice water conservation.  Conservation is our biggest tool to lower water production costs and protect the groundwater resources we all share.  We look forward to working with the POA to ensure our wells and water supply are protected for years to come.  The District appreciates the recent efforts by the POA to conserve water.

The District’s water supply has been impacted by the summer droughts, which have occurred over the past two years. The District has three water wells, which supply water to the District, Spring Creek Utility District, and Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 88. The District performs active maintenance and testing of the wells to ensure we are able to continue providing water to our customers, and to prolong the life of our water supply. Unfortunately, during the previous two years, Montgomery County and Harris County have experienced periods of severe drought which have impacted the aquifers static water levels, which we pump our water from. The District has been and will be continuously be looking into other sources of water such as surface water from the SJRA, reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants for irrigation, and even a new well drilled into a deeper aquifer.  But these potential sources are expensive and might represent a reduction in water quality.  Any other water sources would take several years to enact.  Conservation is our biggest tool to lower water production costs and protect the groundwater resources we all share.

For more information on the water supply please visit the District’s website for a Water Supply Frequently Asked Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ipf-YwWFun5mkgj_YswzC3W1W6bdsVQr/view.

Sincerely,

The District Board of Directors

• 2023 Town Hall Presentation
• 2023 Water Supply FAQ

Due to the drought conditions throughout the state, the District is now experiencing extreme drought conditions at the well sites. The groundwater levels are continuing to drop causing the implementation of the District’s water restrictions. In order to provide essential water services to customers these restrictions must be followed:

Stage 2 Water Shortage Conditions

1. Water Use Restrictions Applicable to Retail Water Customers. At the discretion of and upon the authorization by the District’s Board of Directors, the Operator shall implement the water allocation provisions of Section IX of this Plan. Additionally, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all Retail Water Customers and violators shall be subject to the surcharges set forth in Section X of this Plan:

(a) Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to (a) Thursdays and Sundays for Retail Water Customers with an Even Numbered Address, (b) Tuesdays and Saturdays for Retail Water Customers with an Odd Numbered Address, and (c) Thursdays and Sundays for Retail Water Customers responsible for watering common areas. Irrigation of landscaped areas is further voluntarily limited to between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on the designated watering day(s) and 2:00 a.m. on the following day(s). However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose equipped with a functioning positive shut-off device, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.

(b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on the designated watering day(s) and 2:00 a.m. on the following day(s). Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand­held hose equipped with a functioning positive shut-off device. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be granted a variance from this restriction in accordance with Section XI of this Plan if the health, safety, or welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

(c) Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any Aesthetic Water Use is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on the designated watering day(s) and 2:00 a.m. on the following day(s).

(d) Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

(e) Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the District.

(f) Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on the designated watering day(s) and 2:00 a.m. on the following day(s). However, if the golf course utilizes a water source for irrigation other than that provided by the District’s potable water supply system, the golf course shall not be subject to this restriction.

(g) All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to their patrons except when requested.

(h) To the extent not other 1 wise provided or otherwise in conflict with any of the above, all other Non-essential Water Uses are prohibited.

Due to high system demand and district working on water well, you could experience low water pressure for the next 24 to 30 hours.

Please limit all outdoor irrigations to help relief system demand.

Dear Valued Customer,

As your water and sewer operator for Montgomery County MUD # 89, Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc., integrated a new billing software to better service our customers.

You should receive a blue notification in the mail with your new account number and security code to set up new customer portal, to view account balances, and set up online payments.

If you need assistance, please email our office at customerservice@municipalops.com or by phone at 281-367-5511.

Sample Notification Letter (PDF)

Parts of Montgomery County and MUD 89 continue to be affected by the drought of 2022.

Our team is working to address the drought’s effect on the water system. A recent water source change may have changed the direction of the water flow in the distribution system to your home or business, causing yellow-looking water.

If you experience a change in your water, please get in touch with Municipal Operations Consulting (MOC) at (281) 367-5511.

Your public water system is operating normally. However, the freeze has affected the interior plumbing of a few customers.

If you’re currently without water or as temperatures increase, discover any leaking water, please immediately call Municipal Operations Consulting (MOC) at (281) 367-5511 to report the leak and help maintain the integrity of the public water supply.