• Ballot Order for the November 7, 2023 Texas Constitutional Amendment Election

Summerwood Community is mandated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District to have a Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP).  In order to accomplish the State mandated requirement, Harris County MUD 361 follows the City of Houston GRP to reduce the use of ground water by converting from well water to surface water. The costs associated with building and maintaining the surface water infrastructure are passed on to its customers through the GRP fee on the monthly water bill.

To learn more about the City of Houston GRP, click here. To learn more about the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, click here.

The Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2023 on October 13, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at 2001 Timberloch Place, Suite 500, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate (PDF)

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361 Taxpayers:

Please be advised the tax office mailing address has changed effective August 1, 2023.

Please mail your tax payments to the following address:

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 361
Utility Tax Service, Llc
11500 Northwest Freeway, Suite 150
Houston, Texas 77092

Office: (713) 688-3855
Website: www.utilitytaxservice.com
Email: utilitytaxservice@sbcglobal.net

Recent Taste and Odor Inquiries Regarding Drinking Water

The recent changes in taste and odor of the treated surface water being delivered by the City of Houston to HC MUD 361 are believed to be the result of a spike in Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) which are naturally occurring compounds found in Lake Houston.  All recent test results have confirmed that the water being supplied by the City of Houston to Harris County MUD 361’s customers is indeed safe and meets all State and Federal drinking water requirements.

Harris County MUD 361 purchases treated surface water from the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant (the “NEWPP”), the raw water source of which is the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.  Seasonal changes such as temperature and rainfall events can influence Geosmin and MIB levels in the water in Lake Houston.  Seasonal changes in the lake can impart variations in taste and odor of the treated surface water.  The City of Houston continuously monitors the incoming raw water and the finished water leaving the NEWPP to ensure its compliance with all applicable State and Federal drinking water standards.

Harris County MUD 361 is working with the City of Houston to mitigate the variations in taste and odor to the maximum extent possible.  Proper disinfection levels are being monitored and maintained. Flushing, where appropriate, is being done to help alleviate the situation.  Harris County MUD 361 continues to monitor, sample and test the water coming into our system and throughout our transmission and distribution system to ensure that the drinking water being delivered by the City of Houston is safe to drink.

Geosmin and MIB Information Sheet

Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) are naturally occurring compounds that have a very strong, earthy-musty odors.⁽¹⁾  Geosmin and MIB can be detected by humans at very low levels.

The City of Houston routinely monitors Geosmin and MIB in the water supply. These compounds are usually present in drinking water, however not at noticeable levels.

Generally, Geosmin & MIB become a taste & odor issue for customers when levels are in the range of 20-30 nanograms (one millionth of a milligram) per liter, but some people who are particularly sensitive may notice it at levels above 10 ng/l ⁽²⁾.  To put it in simpler terms that would equate to one cent in a billion dollars.

What are the Effects of Geosmin and MIB?

Geosmin and MIB produce a musty, earthy smell and taste in drinking water, however both compounds are not harmful at levels present in drinking water.⁽³⁾

What Causes Increased Levels of Geosmin and MIB? 

Some kinds of algae and bacteria present in lake and river water naturally produce Geosmin and MIB. An increase in this production typically happens during summer into early fall when lake levels are low, rivers are flowing slowly and water temperatures are warm.

What Can be Done About Geosmin and MIB? 

Geosmin and MIB cannot be removed from water using normal treatment processes available at the existing NEWPP. The City of Houston adds Powdered Activated Carbon at the NEWPP to help reduce the levels of Geosmin and MIB.

References:

1. Frederick W. Pontius “Water Quality and Treatment – A Handbook of Community Water Supplies, 4^th Edition”, American Water Works Association 1990. Page 151
2. Diana M.C. Rashash, Robert C. Hoehn, Andrea M. Dietrich, Thomas J. Gizzard, and Bruce C. Parker, “Identification and Control of Odorous Algal Metabolites” American Water Works Association, (AWWA Research Foundation), Denver Colorado 1996. Page 62
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals” EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Washington DC. https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/secondary-drinking-water-standards-guidance-nuisance-chemicals#table-of-secondary

The office of Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis wants to hear from you! Please take a moment to take their “Precinct One Community Affairs & Advocacy Engagement Survey.”

SURVEY LINK: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7202484/Pct-1-CGA-Engagement-Survey

The goal of the survey is for Commissioner Ellis and the Harris County Precinct One team to better understand the strengths, assets, challenges and needs of the community in which you live and work. The results will then be analyzed by one of their Policy staff members and will guide the Precinct’s policy initiatives and priorities moving forward.

Precinct One is dedicated to developing policies that improve quality of life while advancing equitable opportunity and the just treatment of all residents of Harris County, and your voice and input really do matter to make it all happen!

The National Weather Service has advised that subfreezing temperatures are likely beginning Thursday night and into Friday morning following the passage of a strong cold front. Freeze Warnings and possible Hard Freeze Warnings can be expected. High temperatures could quite possibly remain below freezing throughout the day on Friday and not warm up above freezing until during the day on Saturday.

Steps for Winterizing your Home

• Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or using slip-on foam pipe insulation. Do not leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces.
• Winterize your sprinkler system by turning the water off to your irrigation system and drain your backflow preventer.
• Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.
• Open cabinets underneath faucets.
• Exterior hose bibs are normally left unattended, disconnect hoses and insulate faucets with covers or blankets.
• House Shut off valve: Know where your shut off valve is located in case of an emergency. Valve is usually on the side of the house near the garage. Some homes the valve is inside the garage wall.
• If you choose to leave a faucet dripping, please only let the faucet drip slowly. NO STEADY STREAMS.
• If traveling for the Holidays, it is recommended that you turn the water off at the street and drain all your plumbing.