Author: TNW MUD

Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Project Update

Work continues on the T C Jester corridor at a faster pace now that the Contractor has passed Glenmere Lane.  The contractor is expected to complete work by December 16, 2024 with inspections and a punch list to follow before the MUD Board signs off on the work. Once the District signs off on the contractor’s work, the District’s landscaper will do follow up landscaping work to return all areas to their pre construction state.

Until Junction completes installation of the new smart controller, booster pumps, sprinkler heads, and tests the system, the MUD park and soccer field will remain closed. This is for your safety. In the meantime, consider walking 1 or all 3 of the District’s detention pond greenspaces as marked on the District map link.  https://www.tnwmud.org/about/#map

Questions about the project? Send an email to the address below or, better yet, attend a monthly MUD Board meeting and ask your questions to the Board.

Park & Greenspaces

Fall is a great time to walk the District’s 3 detention pond greenspaces. Deer and other wildlife are active in all 3. For your enjoyment, many enhancements have been added to the Terravista detention pond.

The District’s Emergency Broadcast Messaging System

To improve communication with residents during an emergency, the District has canceled its contract with Classic Messaging for emergency broadcast messages.  Off Cinco Web Services, the District’s web master, has been awarded the new contract.  Once the District goes live with Off Cinco for emergency broadcast in about 30 days, residents will no longer have to opt in to the service, all residents with a valid email address and phone number on their H2o Innovation account will automatically receive emergency and routine messages from the District.

Water Plant News

Work has begun on the planned upgrade to the District’s aging control room along with other, much needed, structural and safety improvements.  This is a major upgrade to the water plant. Once complete, this work will greatly improve the performance of water plant operations and allow for remote monitoring by the District’s Operator, H2o Innovation.  Construction is designed to insure there is no disruption to residential water service during construction which is expected to last into August, 2025.

Monthly MUD Board Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend monthly Board meetings to learn what’s happening in the District. Regular monthly meetings begin promptly at 6pm, the third Thursday of every month at the clubhouse unless otherwise stated. Resident input is always the 1st item on the agenda.  Agendas are posted on the clubhouse and on the District website no later than 3 days prior to the meeting.

Can’t make a meeting?  Looking for information?  Have a concern or question?

Check out the District’s website at https://www.tnwmud.org.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, email the District at tnw.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate reply!

Your Terranova West MUD Board of Directors

Tom Lovell: President, Park/Green Space Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Ken Barrett: Vice President, current term ends 05/2027

Rob Sorensen: Secretary and Water Plant/Generator Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Larry Forrester: Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, current term ends 05/2025

Nannette Burrage: Assistant Secretary, Website Oversight, current term ends 05/2025

The District has completed the Lead & Copper Inventory as required by the EPA.

Through records research and field investigation of the distribution system, it has been determined that the system has no lead service lines or galvanized requiring replacement service lines. The system has been determined as a non-lead community.

The complete inventory may be available for inspection by emailing tnw.mud@gmail.com.

Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Project Update

After a Harris County Engineering imposed work stoppage, Junction Landscaping is back at work on the T C Jester corridor reclaim irrigation project. To keep the project moving during the TCJ delay, Junction moved their crew to the Terravista detention pond, soccer field, and MUD park.

Until Junction completes installation of the new smart controller, booster pumps, sprinkler heads, and tests the system, the MUD park and soccer field will remain closed. This is for your safety. Work could last well into October. In the meantime, consider walking 1 or all 3 of the District’s detention pond greenspaces as marked on the District map link.

Questions about the project? Send an email to the address below or, better yet, attend a monthly MUD Board meeting and ask your questions to the Board.

Park & Greenspaces

Fall is a great time to walk the District’s 3 detention pond greenspaces. Deer and other wildlife are active in all 3. For your enjoyment, many enhancements have been added to the Terravista detention pond. Supplemental bluebonnet seeding will take place later this month. Additional landscaping is planned for 2025.

2024 MUD Tax Rate

Based on analysis presented to the MUD Board at the September, 2024 board meeting by the District’s financial advisor, the proposed 2024 tax rate is $0.515 per $100 of assessed valuation. This is a reduction of $0.0275 /$100 or 5% from last year’s rate. As required by law, the proposed 2024 tax rate was published in the local newspaper for resident review and comment. The tax rate will be voted on at the October 17, 2024 board meeting starting at 6pm at the clubhouse on Moss Point. If adopted, the MUD Board will have lowered the tax rate by $0.125 / $100 since 2020.

MUD Tax bills will be mailed in November. If your tax bill is higher than 2023, it’s because the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) increased your 2024 appraisal. The MUD Board has no influence with HCAD regarding your appraisal. Each year you have the right to protest your appraisal. Information regarding the protest process can be found on HCAD’s website.

Monthly MUD Board Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend monthly Board meetings to learn what’s happening in the District. Regular monthly meetings begin promptly at 6pm, the third Thursday of every month at the clubhouse unless otherwise stated. Resident input is always the 1st item on the agenda. Agendas are posted on the clubhouse and on the District website no later than 3 days prior to the meeting.

Can’t make a meeting? Looking for information? Have a concern or question?

Check out the District’s website at https://www.tnwmud.org.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, email the District at tnw.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate reply!

Your Terranova West MUD Board of Directors

Tom Lovell: President, Park/Green Space Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Ken Barrett: Vice President, current term ends 05/2027

Rob Sorensen: Secretary and Water Plant/Generator Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Larry Forrester: Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, current term ends 05/2025

Nannette Burrage: Assistant Secretary, Website Oversight, current term ends 05/2025

Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Project Update

Harris Co engineering temporarily shut down the trenching & pipe laying on TCJ. The general contractor can’t touch anything until the county gives them the OK to restart work. The Districts engineer and General Contractor, Junction Landscaping, are working hard to resolve issue with the county ASAP. In the meantime, to stay on schedule, the contractor has shifted work to the Terravista detention pond.

Questions about the project? Send an email to the address below or, better yet, attend a monthly MUD Board meeting and ask your questions to the Board.

Summer is Here!

That means hot weather and higher water bills.  The District has not raised residential water rates in over 10 years and the RWA reduced their rate twice last year. If your water bill has increased, it simply means you’re using more water.

To  lessen the impact irrigation has on your water bill, now is a good time to;

Walk your irrigation system looking for line and or sprinkler head leaks.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check your backflow preventer to ensure it’s working properly.

If you’re unsure about doing so, there are a number of competent irrigation companies that, for a fee, will do an inspection for you. Just Google “irrigation companies near me”.

The Texas A&M Agrilife website contains a lot of useful information regarding residential irrigation systems, including backflow preventers, installation and maintenance. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/water-my-yard-program

Are you overwatering your lawn and landscape beds? Most residents are. The district highly recommends using the free Texas A&M Agrilife “Water my Yard” website, https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/water-my-yard-program/. It’s a great way to help you reduce the volume of water you are using for irrigation. After setup, you’ll receive an email every Monday with their watering recommendations for the coming week.

Have a pool with an auto fill? To prevent overflows, check it’s operation to  insure it’s working properly.

The free EyeOnWater website, https://eyeonwater.com/signin, and app is a very effective tool to help you understand and manage your water usage. You can also set up a leak alert to warn you of potential leaks in your system.

Hurricane season is upon us, the MUD Board urges you to sign up ASAP for the District’s Emergency Broadcast Message System at https://terranovawestmud.classicmessaging.com/. If you are signed up, it’s a good idea to log into the system to verify your email address and mobile number are correct. This is the Districts main communication tool to advise residents regarding emergencies affecting the water/sewer system. The District does not post on social media.

Monthly MUD Board Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend monthly Board meetings to learn what’s happening in the District. Regular monthly meetings begin promptly at 6pm, the third Thursday of every month at the clubhouse unless otherwise posted. Resident input is always the 1st item on the agenda.  Agendas are posted on the clubhouse and on the District website no later than 3 days prior to the meeting.

Can’t make a meeting?  Looking for information?  Have a concern or question?

Check out the District’s website at https://www.tnwmud.org.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, email the District at tnw.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate reply!

Your Terranova West MUD Board of Directors

Tom Lovell: President, Park/Green Space Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Ken Barrett: Vice President, current term ends 05/2027

Rob Sorensen: Secretary and Water Plant/Generator Oversight, current term ends 05/2027

Larry Forrester: Treasurer, current term ends 05/2025

Nannette Burrage: Assistant Secretary, WEB Oversight, current term ends 05/2025

Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Project Update

Work is progressing on the T C Jester corridor, the 1st of the five sections to receive the new system. The project is on schedule and expected to be completed this fall.

Questions about the project? Send an email to the address below or, better yet, attend a monthly MUD Board meeting and ask your questions to the Board.

Park/Greenspace News

The new Terravista Detention Pond Greenspace crushed granite walking trail is complete. Final grading, rock work, hydroseeding, and amenities such as park benches and landscaping will also be added over time as the budget allows.

Summer is Here!

That means hot weather and higher water bills. The District has not raised residential water rates in over 10 years and the RWA reduced their rate twice last year. If your water bill has increased, it simply means you’re using more water.

To lessen the impact irrigation has on your water bill, now is a good time to;

Walk your irrigation system looking for line and or sprinkler head leaks.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check your backflow preventer to ensure it’s working properly.

If you’re unsure about doing so, there are a number of competent irrigation companies that, for a fee, will do an inspection for you. Just Google “irrigation companies near me”.

The Texas A&M Agrilife website contains a lot of useful information regarding residential irrigation systems, including backflow preventers, installation and maintenance.
https://itc.tamu.edu/files/2018/05/Assembled-Manual.pdf

Are you overwatering your lawn and landscape beds? Most residents are. The district highly recommends using the free Texas A&M Agrilife “Water my Yard” website, https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/water-my-yard-program/. It’s a great way to help you reduce the volume of water you are using for irrigation.After setup, you’ll receive an email every Monday with their watering recommendations for the coming week.

Have a pool with an auto fill? To prevent overflows, check it’s operation to insure it’s working properly.

The free EyeOnWater website, https://eyeonwater.com/signin, and app is a very effective tool to help you understand and manage your water usage. You can also set up a leak alert to warn you of potential leaks in your system.

Hurricane season is upon us, the MUD Board urges you to sign up ASAP for the District’s Emergency Broadcast Message System at https://terranovawestmud.classicmessaging.com/. If you are signed up, it’s a good idea to log into the system to verify your email address and mobile number are correct. This is the Districts main communication tool to advise residents regarding emergencies affecting the water/sewer system. The District does not post on social media.

Monthly MUD Board Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend monthly Board meetings to learn what’s happening in the District. Regular monthly meetings begin promptly at 6pm, the third Thursday of every month at the clubhouse unless otherwise posted. Resident input is always the 1st item on the agenda. Agendas are posted on the clubhouse and on the District website no later than 3 days prior to
the meeting.

Can’t make a meeting? Looking for information? Have a concern or question?

Check out the District’s website at https://www.tnwmud.org.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, email the District at tnw.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate reply!

Your Terranova West MUD Board of Directors

Tom Lovell: President, Park/Green Space Oversight, current term ends 05/2027
Ken Barrett: Vice President, current term ends 05/2027
Rob Sorensen: Secretary and Water Plant/Generator Oversight, current term ends 05/2027
Larry Forrester: Treasurer, current term ends 05/2025
Nannette Burrage: Assistant Secretary, WEB Oversight, current term ends 05/2025

It’s that time of year again.

If you are experiencing water odor or taste issues, the condition may be caused by the annual algae bloom in Lake Houston during the summer months and is a common occurrence when the temperature in Lake Houston rises. The water the District receives from the RWA meets all regulatory standards and is safe to drink.

The City of Houston has created a Drinking Water Taste and Smell FAQ page on their website, https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/drinking-water-taste-and-smell.

The RWA & City of HOU jointly own the NE Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) that treats the water from Lake Houston. The plant is undergoing an upgrade expected to be completed later this year. The upgrade will include a new filtration system that is supposed to address the annual algae bloom smell & taste problem. Won’t help us this year but let’s hope it solves the problem for next year.

While no one likes to spend money, in-line water filters strategically placed on your kitchen, bathroom, and or laundry room lines can help. A whole home water filter system is another option but is more expensive to install.

If you wish to lodge a complaint, you can do so by calling the RWA at 281-440-3924.

The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District’s (HGSD) Water Conservation Grant Program will award the Terranova West Municipal Utility District (MUD) with up to $207,000 in funding to replace its irrigation systems with innovative technology designed to save over three million gallons of water each year. This new system will utilize reclaimed water and EPA WaterSense-labeled products to irrigate approximately 8.7 acres of land, including parks, street medians, and other green spaces more efficiently and effectively.

During the grant project kick-off meeting, Krystal Joseph, Terranova West MUD’s attorney, expressed, “The [Terranova West MUD] District is very forward-thinking, establishing this partnership is very important to us as our goals align with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District’s goals.”

“Our goal is to save water and prevent subsidence. I lived in Baytown in the 1960s, I saw what can happen,” said Ken Barrett, Terranova West MUD’s Vice President, referencing the impact that subsidence had on Baytown’s Brownwood Subdivision which sank nearly 10 feet within three decades.

Terranova West MUD’s Board President, Tom Lovell shared, “We want to leave a legacy and hopefully be a model for other Districts.”

HGSD is proud to support such an impactful water conservation project and we look forward to sharing more details upon the project’s completion.

https://hgsubsidence.org/2024/06/05/terranovawestmudwaterconservationgrant