Water

Dear Customer:

The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (Authority) has triggered Stage 1 (voluntary reductions) of its Drought Contingency Plan due to the ongoing extreme heat and drought conditions. Under Stage 1, the Authority has requested that all water users within its boundaries voluntarily reduce their water usage effective immediately. Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 71 (MUD 71) is within the boundaries of the Authority and, in response to the Authority’s request, also has triggered Stage 1 (voluntary reductions) of its Drought Contingency Plan. MUD 71 is requesting that all users voluntarily reduce their water usage. MUD 71 will continue to monitor water use and will provide another notice if the drought stage changes or if Stage 1 drought conditions have been lifted.

A. All District water customers are asked to voluntarily reduce water use both indoors and outdoors. Please help us reduce water use.

B. Reduce all outdoor watering, including, but not limited to lawn and garden watering, car washing, and window washing.

1. If the last number of your address is an even number, (like 1102 or 14320) for example, please use water outdoors only on even numbered days.
2. If the last number of your address is an odd number, (like 1513 or 11345 for example, please use water outdoors on odd numbered days.
3. Please do not use water outdoors between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight).

The Board of Directors appreciates your cooperation. If the Stage 1 drought conditions are lifted, we will take down the water use restriction signs, provide an update on the District’s web site at www.hcmud71.com and you may return to normal water usage. If conditions should worsen, it may be necessary to impose mandatory water use restrictions at which time you will be notified of the more stringent restrictions. A list of additional water conservation tips that may be helpful is attached. For further information please contact the District’s Operator, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5pm, at 281-897-9100.

Very truly yours,
Harris County MUD No. 71 Board of Directors

 

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Additional Water Conservation Tips

Prolonged, dry conditions puts a strain on Texas water supplies for all uses. It just makes sense not to waste water. Here are a few more tips to help you make better decisions about water use:

1. In the summer, 50 – 80% of all water consumption is used outside and as much as half of this is wasted.
2. Avoid cutting grass too short, longer blades of grass will reduce evaporation and root stress.
3. Water in the early morning when evaporation loss will be less, and set sprinkler so that the lawn is watered, not sidewalks, driveways and streets.
4. Check for and repair leaking faucets and toilets. A leaking toilet can waste more than 200 gallons of water a day.
5. When it is time to replace water fixtures, ask for water saving fixtures such as low flow toilets, showerheads and water efficient appliances that can reduce your water consumption by more than 25%.
6. For further information on how to conserve water, visit https://wateruseitwisely.com, www.texaswater.org, and www.savetexaswater.org.
7. Sign up for Eye on Water to better monitor your usage and do your part to help conserve. https://eyeonwater.com/signup

As temperatures rise in the spring, the grass and shrubs will be waking from their winter “hibernation” and beginning to grow again. Your yard will once again become thirsty, and that means watering.

Did you know that during the summer months 50% – 80% of our water consumption is used outside, according to the TWBD, and as much as half of that may be wasted?  With the rising cost of water, it benefits all of us to make a more conscious effort to conserve water.  So, as we move through spring and begin to prepare ourselves and our lawns for summer let’s take a few minutes to think about how you can do your part to conserve water.  Since your irrigation system is probably your biggest summertime user of water, let’s take a look at recommended ways to properly water your yard.

Studies done by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agency show that over 50% of landscape water is wasted due to overwatering, inefficient watering practices and broken or poorly maintained irrigation systems. We can do our part to avoid this wasted water, and the unexpected high water bills that often result, by ensuring our irrigation system is up and running properly. Let’s look at what that means.

As you turn your irrigation system back on after winter, it’s important to test it to make sure all components are in good working condition:

• All sprinkler heads in the system should be examined to ensure they aren’t damaged or clogged with debris
• The spray heads should be checked and adjusted so that you aren’t watering streets, sidewalks and driveways. You should also make sure that your spray pattern is properly set for the area you intend to water.

Once your system is pressurized it becomes easier to check for leaks in the piping. While the system is running or shortly afterward, look for unusually wet spots in the lawn to check for leaky pipes. It’s best to physically check each valve one at a time.

Once you have the valves and spray heads of your system in good working order, let’s move to the controller, the box that is responsible for telling the rest of the system what to do. First and foremost, change out the backup battery so you won’t spend a lot of time entering all the settings only to have all that work lost the next time there is a power outage. Make sure the clock is set to the proper time. Make sure the rain sensor is active and the seasonal adjust is properly set for the time of year.

Now it’s time to check and set all of the start and run times for your zones.  There’s generally no need to use your irrigation system more than once or twice a week—only more often if there are extended periods of no rainfall. Consider setting your controller to complete your watering by 4:30 am—well before water demand is at its peak.