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Debris Dumping
With the wind storms and Hurricane Beryl that recently impacted our area, residents are dealing with storm debris. MRUD has had to remove debris on the District’s Right-of-Way due to residents dumping trimmings and trash behind their fences, and in many cases close to the exercise trails. Dumping on District property is trespassing and prohibited. You may not be aware that MRUD has to pay to remove this debris to keep facilities safe, usable, and looking good. All the residents in MRUD should not have to pay for the cost of the removal of debris from a few bad players that are acting irresponsibly.
Any debris which has been discarded on District property must be removed immediately (by September 9, 2024) to avoid charges to the resident. These charges will include all efforts to remove and haul off the debris and any cost to restore the area. We hope those that take advantage of our facilities will help us monitor for violations. If you see any debris on district right-of-way, please contact the operator at 832-467-1599. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Trail Closure
The Malcomson Road UD trail from Louetta Rd to Lakewood Crossing Dr will be closed from 4/1 to 4/7 for repairs.
NHCRWA terminated their Stage 2 water conservation measures
The North Harris County Regional Authority (NHCRWA) terminated their Stage 2 water conservation measures. However, Stage 1 voluntary remains in effect. Effective immediately, the following voluntary water use restrictions are in place:
Voluntary water use restrictions now in place:
- Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to Sundays and Thursdays for single-family residential customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8); Saturdays and Wednesdays for single-family residential customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9); and Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers and to irrigate landscapes only between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5-00 am and 7-00 pm and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days.
- Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes.
- Water Customers are requested to check for and repair all leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
Thank you for your cooperation – Customers will be notified when these restrictions are no longer required or if conditions warrant additional conservation measures.
Stage 2 Water Conservation Measures
Due to ongoing drought conditions, The North Harris County Regional Authority (NHCRWA) initiated Stage 2 (Mandatory) water conservation measures. Because Malcomson Rd. UD is located within the boundaries of the NHCRWA, we are required to ini ate Stage 2 mandatory utility water conservation measures. Effective immediately, under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions for stage 2 shall apply to all persons:
- Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8); Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9); and Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers, and irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 5:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation. system.
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of-12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
- Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
- Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
- Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire-fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the District.
- All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to patrons except upon request of the patron.
The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas.
2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than. immediate fire protection.
3. use of water for dust control.
4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any hutter or street.
5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).
Exceptions: Notwithstanding foregoing, water may be discharged during a Stage 2 Water Shortage as follows:
a. By the District for the purpose of flushing waterlines to prevent or eliminate stagnation, contamination, or discoloration of water in any District water facility, or
b. For the wetting of any surface for the purpose of complying with the air pollution laws of the State of Texas or the United States of America.
c. To alleviate conditions threatening life, safety, or welfare of the public, including, without limitation, fire suppression.
The following penalties shall apply to anyone violating the mandatory drought response measures stated above:
- Any person who violates this Plan is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00). Each day that one or more of the provisions in this Plan is violated shall constitute a separate offense. If a person is convicted of three or more distinct violations of this Plan, the Board shall, upon due notice to the customer, be authorized to discontinue water service to the premises where such violtions occur. Services discontinued under such circumstances shall be restored only upon payment, of a re-connection charge, hereby established at $100.00, and any other costs incurred by the District in discontinuing service. In addition, suitable assurance must be given to the Board that the same ac on shall not be repeated while the Plan is in effect. Compliance with this plan may also be sought through injunctive relief in the district court.
Thank you for your cooperation – Customers will be notified when these restrictions are no longer required or if conditions warrant additional conservation measures.
Stage 1 Water Conservation Measures
Due to ongoing drought conditions, The North Harris County Regional Authority (NHCRWA) initiated Stage 1 water conservation measures. Because Malcomson Rd. UD is located within the boundaries of the NHCRWA, we are required to initiate Stage 1 voluntary utility water conservation measures. The NHCRWA and Malcomson Rd. UD may require mandatory water use restrictions if conditions worsen. Effective immediately, the following voluntary water use restrictions are in place:
Voluntary Water Use Restrictions Now in Place:
- Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to Sundays and Thursdays for single-family residential customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8); Saturdays and Wednesdays for single-family residential customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9); and Tuesdays and Fridays for all other customers and to irrigate landscapes only between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5-00 am and 7-00 pm and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days.
- Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes.
- Water Customers are requested to check for and repair all leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets.
Thank you for your cooperation – Customers will be notified when these restrictions are no
longer required or if conditions warrant additional conservation measures.
Surface Water Supplied by the Authority is Safe to Drink
Recent Taste and Odor Inquiries Regarding Drinking Water
Malcomson Road Utility District (MRUD) receives most of their water from the North Harris County Regional Water Authority.
The recent changes in taste and odor of the treated surface water being delivered by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (the “Authority”) to a few districts are believed to be the result of a spike in Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) which are naturally occurring compounds found in Lake Houston. All recent test results have confirmed that the water being supplied by the City of Houston to the Authority and by the Authority to its customers is indeed safe and meets all State and Federal drinking water requirements.
The Authority purchases treated surface water from the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant (the “NEWPP”), the raw water source of which is the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. Seasonal changes such as temperature and rainfall events can influence Geosmin and MIB levels in the water in Lake Houston. Seasonal changes in the lake can impart variations in taste and odor of the treated surface water. The City of Houston continuously monitors the incoming raw water and the finished water leaving the NEWPP to ensure its compliance with all applicable State and Federal drinking water standards.
The Authority is working with the City of Houston to mitigate the variations in taste and odor to the maximum extent possible. Proper disinfection levels are being monitored and maintained. Flushing, where appropriate, is being done to help alleviate the situation. The Authority is continuing to monitor, sample and test the water coming into our system and throughout our transmission and distribution system to ensure that the drinking water being delivered by the Authority is safe to drink.
Geosmin and MIB Information Sheet
Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) are naturally occurring compounds that have a very strong, earthymusty odors.(1) Geosmin and MIB can be detected by humans at very low levels.
The City of Houston routinely monitors for Geosmin and MIB in the water supply. These compounds are usually present in drinking water, however not at noticeable levels.
Generally, Geosmin & MIB become a taste & odor issue for customers when levels are in the range of 20-30 nanograms (one millionth of a milligram) per liter, but some people who are particularly sensitive may notice it at levels above 10 ng/l (2). To put it in simpler terms that would equate to one cent in a billion dollars.
What are the Effects of Geosmin and MIB?
Geosmin and MIB produce a musty, earthy smell and taste in drinking water, however both compounds are not harmful at levels present in drinking water.(3)
What Causes Increased Levels of Geosmin and MIB?
Some kinds of algae and bacteria present in lake and river water naturally produce Geosmin and MIB. An increase in this production typically happens during summer into early fall when lake levels are low, rivers are flowing slowly and water temperatures are warm.
What Can be Done About Geosmin and MIB?
Geosmin and MIB cannot be removed from water using normal treatment processes available at the existing NEWPP. The City of Houston adds Powdered Activated Carbon at the NEWPP to help reduce the levels of Geosmin and MIB.
References:
1. Frederick W. Pontius “Water Quality and Treatment – A Handbook of Community Water Supplies, 4th Edition”, American Water Works Association 1990. Page 151
2. Diana M.C. Rashash, Robert C. Hoehn, Andrea M. Dietrich, Thomas J. Gizzard, and Bruce C. Parker, “Identification and Control of Odorous Algal Metabolites” American Water Works Association, (AWWA Research Foundation), Denver Colorado 1996. Page 62
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals” EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Washington DC. https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/secondary-drinking-waterstandards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals#table-of-secondary
Malcomson Road Utility District has resumed operations at Water Plant No #2
Malcomson Road Utility District (MRUD) has resumed operations at Water Plant No #2. Maintenance work is still being performed at the plant, but it should not disrupt operations. The water quality should improve as the plant’s surface water is released into the system. This might take up to 2 days. For the past months, the District has been using well water from Water Plant No. 1 as a primary source of water which caused differences in taste and appearance. If you continue to have water quality issues, please contact EDP at (832) 467-1599 so we can work to resolve individual situations.
Water Plant Maintenance
Malcomson Road Utility District(MRUD) is currently completing maintenance work at Water Plant #2; therefore, the plant is offline. Water Plant #2 is the primary source of water for the District but because of the repairs, MRUD has shifted over to use Water Plant #1. Water Plant #1 utilizes ground water from a well instead of the NHCRWA surface water so the water may seem different in taste and appearance. Chlorine residuals are continuously monitored by EDP at the water plant and throughout the District to ensure that the water provided to residents is safe for consumption despite taste, odor and discoloration differences.
The work being done at Water Plant #2 should be completed by the first week in June. Once that work is complete, MRUD will shift back to its normal operations. If you continue to have water quality issues, please contact EDP at (832) 467-1599 so we can work to resolve individual situations.