It’s Just Water, Why Does it Cost So Much??
Whether it’s the District or the NHCRWA’s charge for water on your monthly bill, there is a lot that goes into the cost of water.
By State of Texas law, the District is required to purchase 80% of the District’s water needs from the NHCRWA. Unlike most MUDs, that cost is passed on to residents without any additional markup.
Some of the items that make up the NHCRWA fee charged to MUDs and passed on to residents are;
- The cost to purchase water from the City of Houston.
- The Cost to transport water from the Lake Houston treatment plant through miles of pipeline to the District.
- The cost to manage, maintain and repair the miles of underground water lines, valves, pumps, backup generators, vehicles, heavy equipment, and storage tanks.
- Staff costs include engineers, technicians, bookkeepers, and a lot of other hard-working employees.
- The cost of chemicals to treat the water.
- The cost to continually test the water to ensure it is safe to drink.
- The cost of electricity to run the system.
- The cost of computers, internet, and data management, all to manage the grid.
- The cost of security be it cyber or physical assets to protect the system.
- Last, but not least, are the ongoing NHCRWA’s construction projects all designed to ensure the region has access to clean safe drinking water and meet the mandates set down by the Harris Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD). You can read more about these projects at https://www.nhcrwa.com/projects.
Think of the District as a mini version of the NHCRWA. Some of the items that go into the District’s water rates are;
- The cost to manage receipt of the water from the NHCRWA into the District’s aboveground storage tank.
- The cost to manage, maintain, and repair the water plant, the miles of underground water lines, valves, pumps, and the backup generator
- Consultant costs include the District’s engineer, operator, bookkeeper, tax accountant, and attorney, all necessary to keep the system operating smoothly. Consultant information can be found on this website under “Contact” “Consultants”.
- The cost of chemicals to treat the water in the District’s storage tank.
- The cost to continually test the water to ensure it is safe to drink.
- The cost of electricity to run the system.
- The cost of computers, internet, and data management, to manage the grid.
- The cost of security for the water plant.
- The District must also place in reserve money to fund future capital projects.
As you can see, it’s not just water, there’s a lot that goes into the cost of supplying clean, safe drinking water but, despite all these costs, the District residential water/sewer rates have remained the same since July, 2020 and the RWA decreased their water fee by $2 over the last three years.
Utilizing the App “Eye on your Water”?
The District encourages each resident to monitor the amount of water you use by downloading the EyeOnWater app. It is a quick, reliable tool that tracks your water usage and can even help with leak detection. Irrigation systems, pools and water softeners can all be contributors to increasing your water usage.
If your water bill continues to increase, it is not because of rate increases. The RWA has lowered their rates 3 times over the last 2 years and the District has not raised water rates in many years.
For more information on understanding your water bill, available tools for tracking your usage, and helpful water conversation tips, visit the District’s website; Documents > Knowing and Understanding Your TNW Water Sewer Bill.
MUD Park and Detention Pond Greenspaces
The MUD Park baseball field, volleyball court, and soccer field are all on a first come, first served basis. Field reservations are no longer being taken.
As the weather begins to get “a little” cooler, we encourage residents to continue enjoying the trails around the detention ponds. We also would ask you to “say something if you see something” that needs the District’s attention.
Help the District maintain your facilities. If you see an issue or have a suggestion, send an email to tnw.mud@gmail.com.
Monthly Board Meetings
Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly Board meetings to learn what is happening in the District.
Regular monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month, at the clubhouse (unless otherwise stated) and start promptly at 6pm. Resident input is always the first item on the agenda. Agendas are posted on the District website no later than 3 days prior to the meeting.
The District’s Emergency Broadcast Messaging System
Are you receiving emails and texts from the District? The District will broadcast messages to communicate critical events affecting the District’s water/sewer operation to residents in real time. The system is also used to communicate periodic routine updates and information to residents.
To ensure you receive these emergency broadcast text messages from the District, please add alerts@tnwmud.org and +1 (682) 356-5083 to your email and mobile phone contact lists.
The District does not post on social media!
District Website
Looking for more information? Unable to attend a meeting? Have a concern or questions? Check out the District’s website by clicking here. The District’s website is a great source of information for everything happening in the District.
If you don’t find what you are looking for online or have questions about anything in this article, please email the District at tnw.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate, and honest reply!
Your Terranova West Board of Directors
- Tom Lovell, President, Park/Greenspaces Oversight current term ends 5/2027
- Rob Sorensen, Vice President, Water Plant/GenSet Oversight, current term ends 5/2027
- Shyanne Meekins, Treasurer/Assistant Secretary, current term ends 5/2029
- Nannette Burrage, Secretary, Web Oversight, current term ends 5/2029
- George Hatfield, At Large, current term ends 5/2027