Ballot Order for the November 7, 2023 Texas Constitutional Amendment Election

Understanding the Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Mandate in Summerwood Community

Summerwood Community is mandated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District to have a Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP).  In order to accomplish the State mandated requirement, Harris County MUD 361 follows the City of Houston GRP to reduce the use of ground water by converting from well water to surface water. The costs associated with building and maintaining the surface water infrastructure are passed on to its customers through the GRP fee on the monthly water bill.

To learn more about the City of Houston GRP, click here. To learn more about the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, click here.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2023 on October 13, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at 2001 Timberloch Place, Suite 500, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate (PDF)

Tax Payment Address Change

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361 Taxpayers:

Please be advised the tax office mailing address has changed effective August 1, 2023.

Please mail your tax payments to the following address:

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361
Utility Tax Service, Llc
11500 Northwest Freeway, Suite 150
Houston, Texas 77092

Office: (713) 688-3855
Website: www.utilitytaxservice.com
Email: utilitytaxservice@sbcglobal.net

The Surface Water Supplied by the City of Houston is Safe to Drink

Recent Taste and Odor Inquiries Regarding Drinking Water

The recent changes in taste and odor of the treated surface water being delivered by the City of Houston to HC MUD 361 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 Harris County MUD 361’s customers is indeed safe and meets all State and Federal drinking water requirements.

Harris County MUD 361 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.

Harris County MUD 361 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.  Harris County MUD 361 continues 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 City of Houston is safe to drink.

Geosmin and MIB Information Sheet

Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) are naturally occurring compounds that have a very strong, earthy-musty odors.(1)  Geosmin and MIB can be detected by humans at very low levels.

The City of Houston routinely monitors 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-water-standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals#table-of-secondary

Precinct One Community Affairs & Advocacy Engagement Survey

The office of Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis wants to hear from you! Please take a moment to take their “Precinct One Community Affairs & Advocacy Engagement Survey.”

SURVEY LINK: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7202484/Pct-1-CGA-Engagement-Survey

The goal of the survey is for Commissioner Ellis and the Harris County Precinct One team to better understand the strengths, assets, challenges and needs of the community in which you live and work. The results will then be analyzed by one of their Policy staff members and will guide the Precinct’s policy initiatives and priorities moving forward.

Precinct One is dedicated to developing policies that improve quality of life while advancing equitable opportunity and the just treatment of all residents of Harris County, and your voice and input really do matter to make it all happen!

QUICK LINKS

REGULAR TRASH, HEAVY TRASH PICKUP OCCUR ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS; AND RECYCLING PICKUP OCCURS ON MONDAYS

Freeze Warnings and Hard Freeze Warnings Expected

The National Weather Service has advised that subfreezing temperatures are likely beginning Thursday night and into Friday morning following the passage of a strong cold front. Freeze Warnings and possible Hard Freeze Warnings can be expected. High temperatures could quite possibly remain below freezing throughout the day on Friday and not warm up above freezing until during the day on Saturday.

Steps for Winterizing your Home

  • Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or using slip-on foam pipe insulation. Do not leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces.
  • Winterize your sprinkler system by turning the water off to your irrigation system and drain your backflow preventer.
  • Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.
  • Open cabinets underneath faucets.
  • Exterior hose bibs are normally left unattended, disconnect hoses and insulate faucets with covers or blankets.
  • House Shut off valve: Know where your shut off valve is located in case of an emergency. Valve is usually on the side of the house near the garage. Some homes the valve is inside the garage wall.
  • If you choose to leave a faucet dripping, please only let the faucet drip slowly. NO STEADY STREAMS.
  • If traveling for the Holidays, it is recommended that you turn the water off at the street and drain all your plumbing.

SUMMERWOOD EARTH DAY

More information available on summerwoodlife.com.

FREEZING WEATHER TIPS

  • Locate and insulate pipes most susceptible to freezing — typically those near outer walls, in crawl spaces, or in the attic.
  • Winterize your house lines and irrigation system. Open your cabinet doors under your sinks to provide warm air circulation.
  • Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and insulate outside pipes and faucets.
  • Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water in case pipes burst.

NEW GARBAGE AND RECYCLING SERVICE PROVIDER

Best Trash is your new garbage and recycling service provider beginning Monday, August 23, 2021. They have started delivering 1 trash can and 1 recycle container today, August 18, 2021 and will continue throughout the week until complete. Trash service days will be Monday and Thursday with a new recycle day on Monday. Please have your container to the curb by 7am on service days. If you have questions or need additional information please contact Best Trash at 281-313-2378 or email customerservice@besttrashtexas.com.

You may visit the website at www.best-trash.com.

Texas Pride will pick-up their garbage cans beginning Thursday, August 19, 2021. Please leave your Texas Pride cans on the curb as this could take a few days to complete.

SIGN UP FOR THE DISTRICT’S ALERT SYSTEM

The District has implemented an email and text alert system for the residents of Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361. This system is designed to keep you informed of issues related to the District in a quick and timely manner. You may receive messages in either email or text alert format, or both, related to the water service in the District, drainage and sewer related topics, and other news that is relevant to the District.

The email alerts that you may receive will contain the majority of the relevant information and may occasionally direct you back to the District’s website for more details.

Text message notifications will contain a short amount of information with a link back to the District’s website where the remainder of the information can be viewed.

These notifications are a great way to stay up to date on news and issues within the District and we highly encourage you to sign up and share this information with your neighbors.

To sign up for email and text notifications, please click here to visit the sign up page.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361 (the “District”) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, located in northeast Harris County approximately 15 miles northeast of downtown Houston.

Access to downtown Houston is provided via North Beltway 8 East to either Texas State Highway 59 or Interstate Highway 10. Access to the District from North Beltway 8 East is provided via West Lake Houston Parkway, which forms the western boundary of the District.

The District is a municipal utility district created by an order of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ” or “Commission”), effective March 10, 1997.

The District is empowered, among other things, to finance, purchase, construct, operate and maintain all works, improvements, facilities and plants necessary for the supply and distribution of water; the collection, transportation and treatment of wastewater; and the control and diversion of storm water. The District may issue bonds and other forms of indebtedness to purchase or construct such facilities.