Coronavirus: Toilet paper panic trickle-down effect

Please do NOT flush wet wipes, tissue or heavy paper towels

Experts are warning that the panic run on toilet paper could lead to much bigger waste problems than we realize.

With toilet paper in short supply due to the panic buying in response to COVID-19, some researchers warn there’s a risk that toilet paper alternatives such as wet wipes, tissue, napkins and paper towels may lead to another major “monster” waste issues in YOUR sewer houseline and the District’s collection system!

With supermarket shelves wiped bare of toilet paper, water infrastructure experts fear that the use of toilet paper alternatives such as wet wipes, napkins and thicker paper could lead to major blockages in our water and sewage systems.

Some water utilities have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars removing wet wipes from the collection systems, lift pumps and at sewage treatment plants. These products can create blockages of fat, sanitary items and wet wipes that block pipes and pumps and cause an added expense to remove.

Please do not flush wet wipes or heavy paper towels and properly dispose of them by throwing them in the trash.

Defined Irrigation Schedule and Water Use Policy

Northwest Harris County Municipal Utility District No.5 (the“District”) has adopted a Defined Irrigation Schedule and Water Use Policy for residents of the District. This policy is intended to reduce irrigation during certain times of the day to reduce “peak” usage while providing customers with adequate water for landscaping. Irrigation is recommended only three days per week.

Residential Irrigation Schedule

Recommended Schedule

Even Addresses (Ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Monday, Wednesday, or Friday

Odd Addresses (Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday

Northwest Harris County MUD No. 5 has upgraded to SMART water meters with cellular communication capabilities. Learn how to sign up and gain access to your water usage by visiting: www.mdswater.com/smartmeter

Secure access to your personal water usage data
Greater control of how much water you use (and pay for) by reviewing your personal water usage
Set up alerts to notify you when you may have a leak
Data available via web browser or phone app

PDF document of this notice – Irrigation Schedule and Eye On Water Sign Up Flyer

Our Water System is Smarter!

SMART METERS ARE HERE!

Sign up today for the free Eye on Water app to get all of the benefits!

NW MUD 5 has installed and retrofitted all of its existing meters to “Smart Meters” using cell phone technology with daily updates of water usage. The new “Eye on Water” app will allow the District and customers to monitor daily usage, save water, and receive notifications of excessive water usage based on the customer defined parameters. The notification could indicate a broken pipe, irrigation system malfunction, or leak. The Smart Meter app will be compatible with your PC, Tablet, or Smart Phone. To see an example of the “Eye on Water” report, click here. This automation will eliminate the need to manually read your meters every month!

Please open this document and see how this system works. (PDF)

Trail Plans Announced

Commissioner Jack Cagle reviews the trail plans with Directors Larry Milberger & Charles Fischer and with Katie Golzarri, the Landscape Architecture with Clark Condon. As soon as all the County approvals are received, we will issue a request for proposal (RFP) to bid the project. Construction should begin in early 2020.

See complete information on the Trails System here.

NWHCMUD5 RECYLING PROGRAM

In February 2019 two members of your five member MUD board toured the Independent Texas Recycling (ITR) facility which receives our recyclables via our collection contractor, Best Trash. ITR processes close to 200 million pounds of material per year. We learned many things some of which I will elaborate on in this memorandum but first some congratulations are due. Our recyclable material is some of the best received by ITR, containing only about 15% non recyclable material. This allows ITR to run more efficiently and process greater amounts of material on a daily basis. Great Job NWHCMUD5 residents!

When we supply high quality recyclables we allow ITR to run more efficiently, allowing them to hold down their operating costs. Prices fluctuate widely for recyclables. When the prices they are receiving for recyclables are high ITR increases profits but they can still break even when prices are lower. This in turn holds down the price that we as a MUD district have to pay for the pickup of our trash and recyclable materials. Think of recycling as a partnership between NWHCMUD5, Best Trash, and ITR that saves natural resources and helps keep the environment cleaner for all of us.

As I mentioned above the prices ITR receives for the recyclable material vary widely. What is physically recyclable may not be financially recyclable, depending on proximity to buyers. At this time cups, plates, packaging, and any other items made from styrene and styrofoam are not financially recyclable and simply end up in the landfill. These items should be placed in your trash can rather than in your recycle bin. Please recycle plastic bags at your local grocery store or place them in your trash. Plastic bags clog the recycling equipment causing downtime. They eventually end up in the landfill. Other non recyclables include both steel and plastic coat hangers. They are also major contributors to equipment downtime. Garden hoses, household batteries, mirror glass, light bulbs, and clothing are not recyclable.

The best materials to recycle are aluminum cans, plastic milk jugs, plastic bottles, newspaper, cardboard, and any other type of plastic container. Second tier recyclables are glass, mixed paper, waxed paper milk/juice containers, and steel cans. If possible, flatten all cardboard, cereal, and other types of boxes. This allows material to go through the recycling process more efficiently and lessens contamination during the pickup and transportation process.

Let’s continue to be good Recyclers by keeping our recyclables as free of contamination as possible. This will allow NWHCMUD5 to hold down fees and taxes. For more information visit www.nwmud5.com (Waste & Recycling tab) which contains a link to Best Trash for more recycling information.

NHCRWA video

We are a member of North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA)

NW MUD 5 participates in a regional water authority (RWA) whose mission is to reduce the use of well/ground water and increase the use of surface water. Reducing dependence on well water leads to a reduction in ground subsidence as required by Texas state law. Districts are required to reduce ground water usage by 30% by January 2010 and 60% no later than 2025.

Al Rendl takes viewers on an 11 minute journey through the past, present and future of the NHCRWA. The video will be used in Authority outreach and education programs.

Increased Security and Protection

As we continue to grow in the District, the Northwest Harris County MUD 5 Board has increased the number of Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Deputies assigned to our 20 sub-divisions to ten. Funding from the Northwest Harris County MUD 5 Board consist of two Sergeants, one Corporal, and seven Deputies who will be assigned to various shifts providing 24 hour 7 days a week coverage for our communities.  The increased number of Deputies will enable the Constables to be more proactive and prevent crime with greater visibility within our communities.  Since 2018, we experienced a 6% increase in calls for police services. 62% of the calls pertain to theft, burglary, and vehicle burglary.  Another 4% of the calls pertain to criminal mischief.
Please help reduce these statistics by locking your cars, closing your garage doors, and securing your valuables where they are not easily visible and are protected.  If you see something suspicious, please call the Constables.  Together we can make a safer community.