Author: TNW MUD

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