District Updates – June 2023
MUD Board News
After 17 years of service as MUD Board Director and Board Secretary, Steve Caton has resigned his position after selling his home and moving outside the District. A practicing real estate agent, Steve brought a wealth of knowledge regarding home values, District certified values, the impact on the District’s tax rate, and market trends. Steve’s contributions to the Board and District will be missed. The Board wishes him well and thanks him for his many years of service to the District.
The Board is pleased to announce long time resident Rob Sorensen will replace Steve on the Board. A retired business owner, POA volunteer, and frequent attendee at MUD Board meetings asking questions of the Board and it’s consultants, and engagement in discussions affecting the District, make him well qualified to be a Director. In his new role on the MUD Board, Rob will assume oversight of the water plant and on demand generator. The Board welcomes Rob as it’s newest Director.
Why do Monthly Board Meetings Start at 6pm?
At every meeting, there are five consultants giving their monthly reports to the Board and taking questions from Board members. In addition, outside contracts frequently make presentations to the Board. This is in addition to residents attending Board meetings and asking questions. All of which can make for a very long meeting. Even though meetings start at 6pm with resident input always the first item on the agenda, residents are free to arrive at any time and ask questions. For those residents unable to attend a meeting, as noted on the agenda posted at least three days prior to the meeting on the clubhouse bulletin board and on the District’s website, Zoom access is available to everyone. If you still can’t make a meeting, you can always email the District at TNW.mud@gmail.com. You will always receive a prompt, accurate reply.
One More Time as Summer is Here!
That means hot weather and increased irrigation which means higher water bills. To lessen the impact irrigation has on your water bill, now is a good time to;
Take the time to turn on your irrigation system and walk the zones 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.
EyeOnWater App
Most residents have favorite phone apps they look at every day. The Board encourages residents to get in the habit of looking at the EyeOnWater app daily to monitor your water usage. Doing so can help you catch spikes in water usage that may indicate you are losing water somewhere in your home or yard. You are responsible for your water distribution lines beyond your Smart Meter. By law, the District cannot write off lost water on your side of the meter. Doing so would mean the other District residents would be paying for your loss. Questions? Send an email to TNW.mud@gmail.com.
The District has not raised water rates in many years and the NHCRWA recently reduced its fee so, if your water bill is increasing, it simply means you are using more water.
District Operator, H20 Innovation News
For those residents paying their monthly water/sewer bill by bank draft, H20 is changing their service provider. The change will require residents paying by draft to complete and submit a new draft payment form. H20 Innovation will be mailing the form and instructions to all residents paying by draft.
Park/Greenspace News
MUD park tree and shrub trimming has been completed. To aid walkers, a foot bridge is being added to the Oaks detention pond green space. Summer annuals have been planted at key intersections and entrances. Because of the 55+ apartment construction, annuals were not planted at the Terranova West Drive entrance.
Reclaim Water Project
The District’s engineer has signed off on the majority of the contractors main reclaim water line installation and restoration work has started.
District Website
Check out the District’s website at https://www.tnwmud.org.
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
- Larry Forrester: Treasurer, current term ends 05/2025
- Nannette Burrage: Secretary, Web Oversight, current term ends 05/2025
- Rob Sorenson: Assistant Secretary, Water Plant & Generator Oversight, current term ends 05/2027