MUD 152 is implementing a voluntary water conservation notice for the district. Given the current dry conditions across our area, it is important for homeowners to think about ways to reduce their water usage. Water conservation experts suggest among other approaches, reducing the time spent in the shower, washing only fully loaded washing machines, waiting until the dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on, and watering your lawn on a more limited basis.
Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday mornings. Residents should closely monitor media and the National Weather Service for updates to the forecast. We wanted to assure you that the teams at Inframark are monitoring and working diligently in preparation for a freezing weather event to safeguard your facilities. It is also important that you take action as well in protecting the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.
People
Pets
Pipes
Plants
Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.
The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated:
Where you can learn more:
Stay safe and stay warm.
Harris County MUD 152 is excited to release this list of projects that will strengthen the district’s infrastructure and help homeowners better track their water usage. Projects will be funded by the recent selling of $5,225,000 in Series 2022 bonds. The bonds will not cause an increase to current MUD 152 tax rates.
Key Highlights:
You can also view a map of the district with outlines which areas of Atascocita South and Atasca Woods will be included in each of the projects.
| Project ID No | Anticipated Construction | Project Title | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-2023 | Water Plant No. 1 Modification and Rehabilitation | The scope of this project includes the replacement of the Ground Storage Tank (“GST”) No. 1, the recoating of the interior and exterior of both Hydropneumatic Tanks, and the construction of a concrete masonry unit (“CMU”) disinfection building to replace the existing fiberglass building. |
| 2 | 2025 | Well No. 2 Inspection and Pump Replacement | The scope of this project includes the inspection of the District’s Water Well No. 2, in addition to the replacement of the well pump. |
| 3 | 2025 | Water Plant No.2 Rehabilitation | The scope of this project includes the recoating of the interior and exterior of the GST No. 1 located at Water Plant No. 2. |
| 4 | 2022-2023 | Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Sections 1-3 | The scope of this project includes the cleaning, televising, inspection, and rehabilitation of existing sanitary sewer lines within Atascocita South Section 1-3 and Sections 4-6. |
| 5 | 2023-2024 | Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Sections 4-6 | |
| 6 | 2024-2025 | Sanitary Sewer CCTV Sections 4-6 | |
| 7 | 2022-2023 | Smart Water Meter Installation | The scope of the project includes the installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and ultrasonic meters throughout the District. Smart meters provide more accurate readings over the lifetime of the meter and provide customers with access to real time water usage data and lead detection alerts. |
| 8 | 2022-2026 | Atascocita Joint Operations Board (“AJOB”) 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan Projects | The scope of this line item includes several capital improvement projects at the jointly owned AJOB wastewater treatment plant facility. Such projects include site rehabilitation, digester improvements, the addition of a thickener sludge pump, belt press replacement and upgrade, chlorine contact basin wall addition, variable frequency drive digester blower replacements, and headworks and fine screen improvements. |
MUD 152 is joining MUDs across Texas in implementing a voluntary water conservation notice for the district. Given the current dry conditions across our area, it is important for homeowners to think about ways to reduce their water usage. Water conservation experts suggest among other approaches, reducing the time spent in the shower, washing only fully loaded washing machines, waiting until the dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on, and watering your lawn on a more limited basis.
Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1.
You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well built home outside flood prone areas. Remember, your safest place may be to remain home. Be sure to account for your pets in your plan.
As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.
If you need to go to a public shelter, follow health guidelines from your local officials and the CDC.
Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Whether you’re evacuating, or planning to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications to withstand wind impacts. Many retrofits are not as costly or time consuming as you may think.
Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.
If you’re a renter, work with your landlord now to prepare your home for a storm.
Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions.
Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now. Being prepared before a hurricane threatens makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between being a hurricane victim or a hurricane survivor.
You may have noticed new signs in the district highlighting us as a designated Superior Public Water System by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This designation means that MUD 152 exceeds minimum standards in proper oversight, safe and clean water, necessary preparedness and management. To qualify for this designation, the district’s facilities and processes must meet standards outlined in the Texas Administrative Code.
(1) To attain recognition as a “Superior Public Water System”, the following additional requirements must be met:
(A) Physical facilities shall comply with the requirements in these sections.
(B) There shall be a minimum of two licensed operators with additional operators required for larger systems.
(C) The system’s microbiological record for the previous 24 months period shall indicate no violations (frequency, number or maximum contaminant level of the drinking water standards.
(D) The quality of the water shall comply with all primary water quality parameters listed in the drinking water standards.
(E) The chemical quality of the water shall comply with all secondary constituent levels listed in the drinking water standards.
(F) The system’s operation shall comply with applicable state statutes and minimum acceptable operating practices set forth in §290.46 of this title (relating to Minimum Acceptable Operating Practices for Public Drinking Water Systems).
(G) The system’s capacities shall meet or exceed minimum water system capacity requirements set forth in §290.45 of this title (relating to Minimum Water System Capacity Requirements).
(H) The system shall have at least two wells, two raw water pumps or a combination of these with enough capacity to provide average daily consumption with the largest well or pump out of service. This requirement shall also apply to treatment plant pumps necessary for operation in accordance with §290.42 of this title (relating to Water Treatment).
(I) The water system shall be well maintained and the facilities shall present a pleasing appearance to the public.
You may have noticed recent news regarding a water fee hike approved by the Houston City Council. It does NOT affect us since our neighborhood is served by MUD 152. We are in unincorporated Harris County, which is not part of the City of Houston or City of Humble. We do not purchase water from the City of Houston.
Details regarding the fee hike can be found here: https://abc13.com/society/houston-water-fee-hike-approved-by-city-council/10823352/
When approaching winter in Texas, it can be uneventful as our winters tend to be somewhat mild in our area. Nevertheless, we do still have the chance of a detrimental cold front and we must be prepared. When talking about winter with Inframark, we take the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW approach on our facilities. So, what are freezing temperatures?
Technically freezing temperatures are when the air reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is typically uncommon to see damage to pipes or facilities if the temperature
drops down to 32 degrees and doesn’t stay there for a long period of time. When the temperature reaches 30 degrees or below and stays for just a few hours, it can cause the
pipes to freeze, damage irrigation equipment and cause control failures at many different levels. Additionally, there can be latent damage which doesn’t show immediately. An
example of this would be galvanized pipes. While the pipe may not burst, expansion can occur separating the galvanizing from the pipe creating an area for corrosion to start and
ultimately cause leaks.
That question is probably the hardest to answer in our area. At Inframark, we do an annual freeze protection audit starting in the Fall. We also do periodic checks as winter continues, since it may actually be months before the cold weather makes its way to our area. It is always the best practice to make sure the preventive measures taken are in good condition throughout the winter. With preparations in place and a cold front approaching, the weather should be monitored regularly to determine arrival time, anticipated temperatures and duration of temperatures below freezing.
This is the easiest question, everywhere! We don’t believe you can prepare enough for a winter freeze. The potential loss and damage due to a freeze can be extremely costly. Your outside spigots should be covered and insulated along with any other pipes directly exposed to freezing temperatures. This also includes pipes in the attic, garden hoses, irrigation lines and irrigation system backflow preventers. The lines outside exposed to the air are the most common areas to see damage. It is not uncommon for our Inframark team to turn the water off to hundreds of broken backflow preventers in the residential communities after a big freeze. Typically, pipes in the home are fairly safe with heaters running.
There are many different methods and materials which can be utilized to make sure you are safe from freeze damage. Some of these are: foam and fiberglass insulation sized for specific pipes and secured with vinyl and plastic tape, prefabricated spigot covers, spray foam insulation, heat tape, heat lamps and portable heaters. Almost all building supply stores have these items, but do not wait until the night before because they are known to sell out. Should supplies be unavailable, one can improvise, such as utilizing towels and duct tape to insulate vulnerable areas. Turning off the water and draining the lines is the most reliable way to prevent freeze damage. This should always be done for backflow preventers and irrigation systems; however, most everyone needs to have potable water inside the house while it is occupied, so turning off the water and draining the lines is not an option. It is also best practice to periodically flush the lines through all fixtures inside the house during a freeze to bring fresh water into all the lines. This will prevent the water from expanding and breaking the pipes during the freeze. Space heaters, heat lamps and heat tape can be used for small areas directly exposed to freezing temperatures, but care should be taken with any device using extension cords.
