Help Protect Our Lakes, Bayous, and Creeks

Harris County MUD No. 71 needs your help in protecting our lakes, bayous, and other water bodies.  You may not be aware that the storm drains along the street in front of your home are separate from the sanitary sewer drains that collect wastewater in your home from your sink, toilet, shower, and other appliances.  Unlike the sanitary sewer system, the storm sewers transfer rainwater and other substances deposited in the storm drains directly out into the lakes, bayous, and creeks in our community.  Because the water usually is not treated, contaminants placed in the storm sewers can travel directly into our waterways, potentially harming local plants and wildlife.  In addition, trash, fishing lines, and other debris often get caught in fountain equipment, leading to expensive repairs, and requiring more frequent maintenance visits by MUD 71’s lake maintenance contractor, increasing the cost to all of our residents, including you.

In order to help protect our waterways, please clean up after yourself when visiting the parks and lakes in our community and do not place anything into the storm drains.  The only thing that should be going into the storm drains is rainwater!  Some of the most common contributors to storm water pollution in our area include grass clippings and other yard waste, paint and other household chemicals, and fat, oil, and grease.

Click here for information on ways to minimize storm water pollution when maintaining your yard and tips on disposing of yard waste.

Click here for information on determining how much paint to purchase, and storing and properly disposing of paint.

Click here for information on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste, or please contact Harris County’s Hazardous Waste Facility at (346) 286-4299.

Click here for information on the proper disposal of household oil, fats, and grease.

For additional information regarding storm water pollution, please visit: http://www.cleanwaterways.org/.   You also may report a spill or other unauthorized discharge into a storm drain to the Harris County Pollution Control Services Department at (713) 920-2831.

We appreciate your efforts in helping us keep our waterways clean!

Crime Prevention Tips

Believe it or not, the holiday season will soon be upon us.  While we are all preparing for family festivities, criminals are preparing for opportunities to take advantage of your holiday shopping spree!  The November and December holiday season historically sees an increase in criminal activities, but motor vehicle theft is one of the most common criminal activities that takes place year-round.

As a homeowner there are several things you can do to help avoid being the victim of this type of activity:

  • Always remove your keys, roll up windows, and lock your car. Never leave your keys in the car while you are away, even if your car is parked in your garage.
  • Do not leave valuables in your car, even if they are out of sight. If you must leave something valuable in your vehicle, lock it in the trunk.  If a criminal sees items of value in a vehicle, then they are more likely to break into that vehicle.
  • The most common items stolen from vehicles are:
    • GPS Devices
    • Video Players
    • Handguns
    • Money
    • Briefcases
    • Laptop Computers
    • Purses
    • Smartphones
    • Tools
  • If possible, park your car in your garage. The next best alternative is your driveway.  Try to avoid street parking, cars parked on the street are broken into more frequently than cars parked in a driveway.
  • Always activate your car alarm if you have one.
  • If you are leaving town, sign up for the Vacation Watch Service through the Sheriff’s Office, at https://apps.harriscountyso.org/Programs/programs_VacationWatch.aspx/. When completing the form, select MUD 71 from the “HCSO Contracts” dropdown menu.
  • Report any suspicious activity immediately to the Sheriff’s or Constable’s Office.

In event of an emergency, get to a safe location and call 9-1-1. To report suspicious activity or non-emergency criminal activities you may call:

Harris County Constable Precinct 5 – (281) 463-6666

Harris County Sheriff’s Office – (713) 221-6000