TNW MUD – Terranova West Municipal Utility District

January 2026 Newsletter

January 9, 2026 by TNW MUD

Where does it go????

When you drain your tub, take a shower, flush a commode, or your dishwasher or washing machine empties, ever wonder where it goes?

Waste water doesn’t magically disappear. It all flows from your residence into the District’s sealed sewer line system. The majority of the lines run through backyard easements to either the Cypresswood or Green Elm lift stations where it is pumped to the BAMMEL (Olde Oaks) waste treatment plant located on the south side of Cypress Creek where it is treated to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards, then released into Cypress Creek.

The Terranova West MUD is one of four MUDs that pump their sewage to the BAMMEL MUD waste treatment plant for processing. Each of the four MUDs pay a monthly fee to BAMMEL based on the percentage of waste sent to the waste treatment plant. By volume, The Terranova West MUD pays 20% of the monthly operating costs, the second biggest user behind the BAMMEL MUD who pays 25%. In general, the monthly assessment runs $10,000-$15,000.

FAQs

Q – Why doesn’t the Terranova West MUD have its own waste treatment plant?
A – Good question. Waste treatment plants are extremely expensive to build and maintain and require a sizable piece of property. Whenever possible, it’s far more efficient for MUDs to band together and utilize one waste treatment plant.

Q – Does the percentage Terranova West MUD is charged by the BAMMEL MUD ever change?
A – No, for that to happen there would have to be a sizable change in the volume sent to the BAMMEL plant by one or more of the five MUDs altering the percentage balance.

Q – Does the BAMMEL MUD ever charge special assessments to the four other MUD partners?
A – Yes, anytime the BAMMEL plant requires an upgrade for any reason such as system age upgrades or changes in TCEQ requirements, that cost is charged proportionately to the five users. The current BAMMEL waste treatment plant upgrade project quote is $6.7 million, Terranova West’s share will be $1.3 million.

Questions? Send an email to the District’s email, TNW.mud@gmail.com.

Park Greenspace News

Nothing new going on in the park or greenspaces. Winter is a pretty quiet time giving our landscaper an opportunity to make minor repairs, trimming.and such. The Board is looking into adding some additional shrubs and trees in strategic spots over the next couple of months.

Help yourself by enrolling in “Eye on Water”

You can be the first to know when you have a water leak at your house. Eye on Water will alert you quickly either through email or text (your choice). Using Eye on Water provides a historical snapshot of your water usage. You can view your usage by the week, the day, the hour, and even down to every 15 minutes. These tools really do give you an “Eye On Water”.

Eye On Water can be accessed through either a website or a smartphone app.

For an informational video showing the ease of setting up an account and viewing your water consumption data, click here.

For more information on understanding your water bill, available tools for tracking your usage, and helpful water conversation tips, click here for District Website.

Monthly Board Meetings

As a Board, we invite you to attend our monthly meetings to learn what is happening in the District. As a resident, your input is always the first item on the agenda. If you see something that needs the Boards attention, please let us know by emailing tnw.mud@gmail.com You will always receive a prompt, accurate and honest reply!

Regular monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month, at the clubhouse (unless otherwise stated) and start promptly at 6pm. 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 the District’s emergence/broadcast messages? 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.

If you have not signed up, 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

The District’s website is a great source of information for everything happening in the District. Check out the District’s website by clicking here. 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

Construction Activities Starting Soon on the T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin

December 5, 2025 by TNW MUD

The Harris County Flood Control District is expected to begin construction related activities on the east compartments of the T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin project soon. The T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin project within the Cypress Creek watershed consists of four compartments and will increase stormwater storage capacity along Cypress Creek.

East Compartments

The east side of the T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin project includes three compartments (1A, 1B, and 2) across approximately 128 acres along T.C. Jester Boulevard, between Cypresswood Drive and Cypress Creek. Once constructed, the compartments on the east side of the project are expected to provide approximately 1,000 acre-feet of stormwater storage – that’s roughly 1,000 football fields covered in one foot of water.

Funding:

The east compartments will be advertised for bids as two construction packages.

Compartment 1B: State community-directed funding ($12 million) secured by State Representative Sam Harless through the Texas Water Development Board, and Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funding ($20.8 million)
Compartments 1A & 2: Federal community-directed funding ($9.95 million) secured by Congressman Dan Crenshaw through Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the 2018 Bond Program ($2.5 million).

Anticipated Schedule:

East Compartment 1B:
- Design Completion: Q4 2025
- Bid Advertisement: Q4 2025
- Construction Start: Q2 2026
- Construction Completion: Q4 2028
East Compartments 1A & 2:
- Site Preparation: Q1 2026
- Design Completion: Q2 2026
- Bid Advertisement: Q3 2026
- Construction Start: Q4 2026
- Construction Completion: Q1 2028

West Compartment

The west side of the project is expected to consist of one large compartment on 44 acres and is anticipated to provide up to 200 acre-feet of stormwater storage.

Funding:

The west compartment will be advertised for bids under a single construction package.

West Compartment: Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation funding ($16.4 million) and the 2018 Bond Program ($1 million).

Anticipated Schedule:

Design Completion: Q3 2026
Bid Advertisement: Q3 2026
Construction Start: Q1 2027
Construction Completion: Q4 2028

Submit a question or comment about this project!

Thank you to Commissioner Ramsey and the Precinct 3 team for their support of our work in this area.

The Flood Control District appreciates the support of our federal, state, and local partners as we continue implementing flood risk reduction projects across the Cypress Creek watershed.

Learn more about the T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin project.

HCFCD Unit ID: K500-23-00 – Bond ID: Z-02

December 2025 Newsletter

December 4, 2025 by TNW MUD

🎄 Merry Christmas🎄

Why do tax rates differ from one MUD to another?

Just like counties and school districts, MUD tax rates differ from one District to another There are a lot of factors to consider when comparing tax rates between Districts.

How much bond debt is a District carrying? Bond principal and interest payments can greatly affect District tax rates.
How much commercial property is there within a District? Tax revenue from commercial properties can greatly influence a District’s tax rate.
What amenities and services does a District provide? They can differ widely from one District to another and impact tax rates charged.
Is the district still developing where the tax rate is still growing?
How does one District maintain its infrastructure compared to another? For the long term health of a District, it’s essential to maintain and improve aging infrastructure. Districts deliberately deferring maintenance and improvements to maintain lower rates eventually pay the price for those decisions by having to sell bonds and/or raise rates to generate needed income.
Does the District maintain partnerships with regulatory agencies such as the NHCRWA and or shared cost service agreements with other Districts?
What’s the long term vision and business plan for the District?
Are there ongoing or planned long term capital improvement projects to ensure the District meets the needs of its residents and commercial enterprises?

These are just a few of the things to consider when you compare one District’s rates to another. District tax rates are not an apples to apples comparison.

All Districts should have a website where you can find the answer to most of the above for comparison purposes.

Your Terranova West MUD Board of Directors are committed to keeping water/sewer and tax rates as low as possible while maintaining and improving infrastructure to ensure the District is a strong, healthy one for residents and attractive to home buyers.

Click here to view the “TNW MUD Tax History” document found on the District’s website under “Resources”, Documents” detailing the MUD tax rate 2008 to the present.

Questions? Send an email to tnwmud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, honest reply to your questions.

Reclaim Irrigation Update

The MUD’s reclaim irrigation system has been up and running since September 1st. The system is remotely monitored by Hines Inc., formerly Masuen LLC, and managed on site by the District’s landscaper, Brian Gardens.

For the month of November, 862,390 gallons of reclaimed water was used to irrigate MUD and POA common areas replacing treated water previously used for irrigation saving the POA $2,773.66 and the MUD $1,581.40. Weather played a significant role in reduced reclaim irrigation gallons used during November. Both are still significant savings to the POA and MUD budgets.

Detention Pond Green-Spaces

Coyotes have been caught on the Oaks detention pond security cameras twice late at night. They come and go, just be aware they’re around when walking the detention ponds. While it’s doubtful they can catch a healthy deer, they will scatter the ones that call our detention ponds home.

Green Elm Lift Station Update

Repairs and upgrades are wrapping up. The District thanks you for your patience during this time.

“Eye on Water” really can save you $$

You do not need to wait on a high water bill to alert you of a leak, you can be notified immediately when you enroll in “Eye on Water”. Did you know that Eye on Water can be accessed through both a website or a smartphone app? Using Eye on Water empowers you to actively engage in water conservation and leak prevention efforts.