How Root Barriers Help Prevent Damage to Sidewalks and Water Lines

HCMUD 0712026-04-22T12:09:04-05:00April 22, 2026|Comments Off on How Root Barriers Help Prevent Damage to Sidewalks and Water Lines

Trees are an important part of neighborhoods in HCMUD 71. They provide shade, improve air quality, and add value and beauty to the community. As trees mature, however, their roots spread outward in search [...]

Save the Date! May 2, 2026, from 11AM – 1PM

HCMUD 0712026-04-20T08:02:59-05:00April 20, 2026|Comments Off on Save the Date! May 2, 2026, from 11AM – 1PM

Mark your calendars and set a reminder! May 2, 2026, from 11AM – 1PM Harris County MUD No. 71 invites you to our annual spring fling at Stephen Woodring Park. Fun for all ages [...]

Understanding Water Hammer: Why Pipes Make Banging Noises

HCMUD 0712026-04-15T11:31:30-05:00April 15, 2026|Comments Off on Understanding Water Hammer: Why Pipes Make Banging Noises

If you have ever turned off a faucet or appliance and heard a sudden bang or thud in your walls, you have likely experienced water hammer. Although the sound can be surprising, water hammer [...]

Park Use Guidelines

HCMUD 0712026-04-08T13:14:46-05:00April 8, 2026|Comments Off on Park Use Guidelines

HCMUD 71 maintains several parks, trails, and recreational areas for the benefit of all residents. These amenities are designed to provide safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces for walking, playing, and gathering with family and [...]

How Smart Irrigation Controllers Help Reduce Water Bills Year-Round

HCMUD 0712026-04-01T12:17:11-05:00April 1, 2026|Comments Off on How Smart Irrigation Controllers Help Reduce Water Bills Year-Round

Home irrigation is one of the largest contributors to household water use in Texas, especially during the warmer months. In many cases, lawns and landscapes receive far more water than they actually need. Smart irrigation [...]

How French Drains Work and When You Might Need One

HCMUD 0712026-03-25T12:24:59-05:00March 25, 2026|Comments Off on How French Drains Work and When You Might Need One

Standing water in a yard after rainfall can be frustrating and may indicate a drainage issue. In many cases, homeowners hear about French drains as a potential solution, but may not fully understand how they [...]

How Soil Compaction Affects Drainage in Your Yard

HCMUD 0712026-03-18T12:01:50-05:00March 18, 2026|Comments Off on How Soil Compaction Affects Drainage in Your Yard

Soil density plays an important role in how water moves through your yard. When soil becomes compacted, it can prevent rain and irrigation water from soaking into the ground properly. Instead of being absorbed, water [...]

Spring Irrigation Startup: Avoiding Leaks, Breaks, and Overwatering

HCMUD 0712026-03-11T15:06:51-05:00March 11, 2026|Comments Off on Spring Irrigation Startup: Avoiding Leaks, Breaks, and Overwatering

As temperatures warm and landscapes begin to spring back to life, many residents begin turning their irrigation systems back on after winter. Starting up a sprinkler system carefully in the spring helps prevent broken lines, [...]

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Yard Waste and Trash in Drainage Ditches and Storm Drains

HCMUD 0712026-03-04T12:37:06-06:00March 4, 2026|Comments Off on Why You Shouldn’t Throw Yard Waste and Trash in Drainage Ditches and Storm Drains

Storm drains and drainage ditches in HCMUD 71 are designed to carry rainwater runoff, not trash or yard debris. What many people don’t realize is that these systems flow directly into our lakes, detention ponds, [...]

What to Do During a Boil Water Notice

HCMUD 0712026-02-04T13:42:12-06:00February 4, 2026|Comments Off on What to Do During a Boil Water Notice

Boil water notices are rare, but they can occur in any community when certain conditions temporarily affect the water system. While HCMUD 71’s water system continues to meet all state and federal water quality standards, [...]

Smart Resolutions for Water in the New Year

HCMUD 0712026-02-04T13:36:30-06:00December 31, 2025|Comments Off on Smart Resolutions for Water in the New Year

The start of a new year is the perfect time to set goals that make a difference, both at home and in the community. For HCMUD 71 residents, one of the most impactful resolutions is [...]

MUD Responsibilities Explained: Water, Waste, Parks, and More

HCMUD 0712025-12-17T12:03:22-06:00December 17, 2025|Comments Off on MUD Responsibilities Explained: Water, Waste, Parks, and More

Most residents know that HCMUD 71 provides their water and trash collection services, but the District’s responsibilities extend much further. As a local government entity created under the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental [...]

Winterizing Your Home: Pipes, Irrigation & Plants

HCMUD 0712025-12-11T13:47:22-06:00December 11, 2025|Comments Off on Winterizing Your Home: Pipes, Irrigation & Plants

While winters in Katy are usually mild, sudden hard freezes can still cause serious damage to outdoor plumbing, irrigation systems, and landscaping. A little preparation before a cold front arrives can help prevent costly repairs [...]

Holiday in the Park

HCMUD 0712025-11-26T12:37:32-06:00November 26, 2025|Comments Off on Holiday in the Park

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

HCMUD 0712025-11-26T11:15:51-06:00November 26, 2025|Comments Off on Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

The holiday season is a time of celebration, generosity, and gathering with family and friends. As residents shop, decorate, and travel, it’s also a good time to take a few extra precautions to keep homes, [...]

How the MUD Maintains Water Quality

HCMUD 0712025-11-19T15:12:08-06:00November 19, 2025|Comments Off on How the MUD Maintains Water Quality

Clean, reliable drinking water is one of the most important services HCMUD 71 provides. The District operates under strict regulations established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [...]

Holiday Cooking and Grease Disposal: What Not to Put Down the Drain

HCMUD 0712025-11-05T12:08:54-06:00November 5, 2025|Comments Off on Holiday Cooking and Grease Disposal: What Not to Put Down the Drain

The holiday season often is a time for cooking, baking, and sharing meals with family and friends. But while the kitchen may be busy, the last thing anyone wants is an unexpected plumbing problem that [...]

Park Use Guidelines

HCMUD 0712025-10-29T13:04:34-05:00October 29, 2025|Comments Off on Park Use Guidelines

HCMUD 71 maintains several parks, trails, and recreational areas for the benefit of all residents. These amenities are designed to provide safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces for walking, playing, and gathering with family and friends. [...]

Understanding Detention Ponds: Why They’re Not Just Neighborhood Lakes

HCMUD 0712025-10-22T14:01:05-05:00October 22, 2025|Comments Off on Understanding Detention Ponds: Why They’re Not Just Neighborhood Lakes

At first glance, the detention ponds throughout HCMUD 71 may look like small neighborhood lakes, but they serve a much more important purpose. These ponds are a critical part of the District’s flood control system, [...]

Pet Etiquette in Shared Spaces

HCMUD 0712025-10-15T10:36:09-05:00October 15, 2025|Comments Off on Pet Etiquette in Shared Spaces

HCMUD 71 is proud to maintain parks, trails, and lakes that provide residents with safe and enjoyable spaces to walk, exercise, and spend time outdoors. Many residents also use these areas to walk their pets. [...]