Resident Alert – Reduced Water Usage Request

Spring Creek Utility District, Montgomery County Municipal Utility Districts 88, and 89 Urge Residents to Conserve Water in the Face of Implementing Stage 3 of the Drought Contingency Plan

From April 2024 to July 2024 (approx. 4 months), one of our shared wells’ static level has dropped 26 feet. Simply put, the drop in water levels is due to residential usage being higher than the recharge rate.

  • Usage: How much water is used by residents and commercial clients in the area.
  • Recharge Rate: The rate at which the well can refill with water based on the aquifer’s ability to replenish its supply via surface water.

Why are we still in drought conditions after all the rain and Hurricane Beryl?

While heavy rains are good for surface water replenishment, wells work differently. The wells in our area get water from the Jasper or Evangeline aquifers. During this time, the rainfall that is absorbed through the ground slowly refills the aquifer over time, and in turn, the aquifer refills the wells. Even though we have experienced a lot of rainfall in a short period of time, we have not had a substantial enough or sustained amount of rainfall to replenish our aquifers and our wells or to keep up with the amount of usage in the Districts.

What is an aquifer recharge rate?

The recharge rate is how quickly the aquifer is replenished by surface water over a given period. This can vary due to rainfall, weather, and heat conditions, and other variables such as types of soil, saturation level of the soil, as well as the depth of the well, affect the recharge rate of the aquifer. Development of land also impacts the recharge rate as more impervious surfaces, such as concrete, direct runoff to storm drains and sewers rather than allowing soil penetration. There is also the opposite problem of oversaturation; once topsoil has absorbed as much water as possible, it isn’t able to penetrate anymore, and standing water or ponding is left in its place.

The Drought Contingency Plan

The Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) is put in place to protect our water sources during times of drought. There are four stages to the DCP.

What is Stage 2 of the DCP?

The goal is to have a 10% reduction in daily water usage. If necessary, the District Operator will reduce system pressure to 50 PSI.

  • Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be Thursdays and Sundays for Even Numbered Addresses, and Tuesdays and Saturdays for Odd Numbered Addresses. Thursdays and Sundays will be for customers watering common areas.
  • Mandatory limitations to watering between the hours of 9:00 pm – 2:00 am on designated watering days.
  • Use of water to wash vehicles is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 pm – 2:00 am on designated watering days.
  • Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any aesthetic water use is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 pm – 2:00 am.
  • Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetics or scenic purposes is prohibited except in cases where it is necessary to support aquatic life.
  • Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting and related activities.
  • Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, fairways is prohibited except between the hours of 9:00 pm – 2:00 am.
  • Restaurants may only serve water to guests if requested.
  • Non-essential water use is prohibited.

Looking at historical data, SCUD, Montgomery County MUDs 88 and 89, have not met the 10% decrease in daily water usage. While the Board of Directors is considering going into Stage 3, this would penalize everyone when only a small portion of customers are not paying attention to the rules. It is the intention of all three Districts to strictly enforce the rules to protect the water supply, which includes applying penalties (surcharges) as called for in the DCP, to ensure that the Stage 2 restrictions on irrigation are respected (twice a week maximum).

You can read the full Drought Contingency Plan document on the District’s website:

What Can I Do?

  • Sign-Up for the EyeOnWater App to monitor your water usage and set up leak alerts.
  • Adjust irrigation times. Residents can ensure they are only watering twice a week and following DCP guidelines.
  • Practice water conservation in the home. Take shorter showers, turn off the sink when washing dishes, brushing teeth, and washing hands.
  • Notify your District through the contact us page if you notice any leaks in your district, such as hydrants, hoses, or ponding.

For more information, click on your district:

Not sure what District you’re in? Click here to type in your address and find your District.

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Hurricane Preparedness

  • Know your risk – Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt many miles inland. Significant impacts can also occur regardless of the storm’s strength.
  • Consider your threats: Storm surges, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents
  • Determine if you live in a flood-prone area
  • Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
  • Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by getting your disaster supplies now. Supplies may not be available just before a storm arrives. Get an insurance review early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
  • Develop an evacuation plan
  • Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions
  • Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts
  • Strengthen your home
  • Understand forecast information before a storm. This can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s path, rainfall amounts, wind speeds and more. Most importantly, it lets you and your family know what actions to take to prepare, monitor, shelter or evacuate.
  • Visit www.hurricanes.gov for more information.
  • Rely on forecasts from your local National Weather Service office
  • Know your alerts and the difference between Watch and Warning
  • Focus on potential impacts, regardless of storm size and category
  • Know that deadly hazards occur well outside of the Forecast Cone
  • Know what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.
  • Protect your home: Cover windows, secure doors and loose items
  • Determine sheltering options and consider your pets
  • Ready you go-bag, meds and supplies, charge phones, fill up/charge vehicle
  • Help your neighbors, especially the elderly and other vulnerable people
  • Follow evacuation orders if given
  • A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is not the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.
  • Use caution after storms: If evacuated, only return home when directed it is safe to do so
  • Remain vigilant, as hazards remain: Heat, downed power lines, floodwaters, etc.
  • Clean up safely: Don’t push yourself and check on neighbors
  • Only use generators outdoors, 20+ feet from your house
  • Prepare for the likelihood that help and communications may not be available
  • Do not wait to take action! Start preparing today!
  • Determine your risks from water and wind
  • Begin preparing now, before a storm
  • Learn how to understand hurricane forecasts and alerts
  • Learn what to do before, during and after a storm

District Remains in Drought Stage 2 Conditions

The District remains in Drought Stage 2 conditions. Between May 2023 and August 2023, the static water level in the Evangeline Aquifer dropped on average 72-feet between the District’s two Evangeline water wells. As of April 2024, the aquifer’s static water levels have rebounded, but are still down 16-feet from the May 2023 levels. The Static Water Levels were increasing since Summer 2023, but have declined over the past two months. Please continue to conserve water. 10 Tips to conserve water are as follows:

Combatting Drought Stage 2: 10 Essential Water Conservation Tips for Recovery

The District remains in Drought Stage 2 conditions. Between May 2023 and August 2023, the static water level in the Evangeline Aquifer dropped on average 16.5% between the District’s two Evangaline water wells. As of January 2024, the aquifer’s static water levels have rebounded about 9.3% on average, but are still down 7.2% from the May 2023 levels. Please continue to conserve water. 10 Tips to conserve water are as follows:

Sign Up for the District’s Alert System

The District has implemented an email and text alert system for the residents of Montgomery County MUD No. 89. This system is designed to keep you informed of issues related to the District in a quick and timely manner. You may receive messages in either email or text alert format, or both, related to the water service in the District, drainage and sewer related topics, and other news that is relevant to the District.

The email alerts that you may receive will contain the majority of the relevant information and may occasionally direct you back to the District’s website for more details.

Text message notifications will contain a short amount of information with a link back to the District’s website where the remainder of the information can be viewed.

These notifications are a great way to stay up to date on news and issues within the District and we highly encourage you to sign up and share this information with your neighbors.

To sign up for email and text notifications, please click here to visit the sign up page.