With freezing temperatures right around the corner, it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on precautionary measures for drops in temperature and cold weather.

The Four P’s to Prepare your Home this Winter:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• Plants

People

• Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
• To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
• Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

• While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
• Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
• If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
• If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
• If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

• Turn off the sprinkler system shut-off valve. Most residential devices have two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue on the valve handles and located before and after the sprinkler system backflow device. A diagram is shown below.
• Release the water pressure from the bleeder valves. The bleeder valves are usually located under the top of the backflow device. If the water does not stop flowing you may have not shut the valves off completely.
• Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware/home services stores carry backflow insulation supplies.
• Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip as long as they are wrapped tightly.
• You can also open up the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

• When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all of your outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Other Tips

• Don’t forget to make sure your car is okay for the freezing temperatures. Check your anti-freeze and your batteries. Also make sure to check your tire pressure and the tread.
• Speaking of cars, make sure when you are on the road that you are mindful parts of the roads may be frozen, particularly bridges. Do not speed and never slam on the brakes.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

There was a brief interruption to water pressure this morning between 10:00 and 10:30 am due to electric issues at the District’s water plant. Water pressure has since been restored.

Please report any further issues 281-290-6500.

At its September 16, 2024, Board Meeting, the Board of Directors of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) voted to reduce water rates. The Board reduced surface water rates from $4.05 to $3.05 per 1,000 gallons and groundwater pumpage fees from $3.60 to $2.60 per 1,000 gallons. These rate cuts, complementing the first two cuts of $0.50 each in 2023, will go into effect October 1st.

These fees generally show up on MUD district water bills as simply “NHCRWA”, “NHCRWA fees”, or something similar.

Board President and Director Melissa Rowell said, “We are happy to announce that the Board has voted for a $1.00 reduction in water rates, marking our third rate decrease since the new board members were elected in 2022. This continued effort reflects our commitment to providing value and relief to our rate payers.”

Director Mark Ramsey, an advocate for lower rates added, “I am grateful for the hard work of the board and the staff in identifying ways to reduce water rates. We continue to provide abundant high-quality surface water complementing the even more abundant high-quality groundwater beneath our feet. The board continues to work toward other long-term solutions for North Harris County residents and businesses.”

The motion was made by Director David Barker, a longtime advocate of a $1.00 or more rate reduction.

The problem at our water plant has been resolved and the interconnect with our neighboring District has been closed. It is possible that some residents ma still experience water quality issues tonight. If you are experiencing water quality issues, we recommend opening up a hose or bathroom faucet towards the back of your home for a few minutes to flush the water from your internal plumbing. If after a few minutes you are still experiencing issues, please contact our Operator MDS at 281-290-6500 or www.mdswater.com.