Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 50 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2023 on October 13, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at 1122 Cedar Lane, El Lago, Texas 77586. 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.

Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate (PDF)

Notice of Mandatory Restrictions on Water Use as of August 8, 2023

To Our Valued Customers:

The City of Pasadena, the source of the City of Seabrook’s water supply, has informed the City of Seabrook, the source of WCID 50’s water supply that Pasadena has reduced the pressure of the water it supplies to Seabrook. W.C.I.D. No. 50 in turn has been informed by Seabrook that it has done the same. WCID 50 must therefore also implement water use restrictions so as not to exceed its available supply. Accordingly, W.C.I.D. No. 50 is implementing Restrictions on Water Use per the District’s Rules and Regulations and provided for under the Texas Water Code.

The severity of the current drought is considered moderate; therefore, it shall be unlawful to use water as listed below:

A) Use of automatic water sprinkler or irrigations systems except on *designated days between the hours of 7:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. the following day.

B) Non-commercial washing of automobiles, trucks, boats, trailers, lawn equipment, golf carts, airplanes, and other mobile equipment except on *designated days between the hours of 7:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. the following day.

*Odd-numbered properties Thursday and Saturday

*Even-numbered properties Wednesday and Friday

C) Complete draining and/or filling of existing swimming pools, hot tubs, and similar facilities.

D) Washing of impervious surfaces such as streets, driveways, sidewalks, patios, and parking areas except for immediate human health, safety, and welfare.

E) Operation of non-recirculating fountains.

F) Wasting of water in general.

Note: The term “waste of water” shall mean any use of potable water purchased from the District for any purpose other than a) Domestic indoor consumption, such as cooking, bathing and sanitary use; b) uses where health concerns require large quantities of water; and c) any manufacturing process requiring, for efficient operation, large volumes or pressures of water.

Violation of water use restrictions is considered a type one (1) offense. The penalties for such violations are:

1. A fine of not less than $100.00 per occurrence and not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day that one or more of the provisions in this Plan is violated shall constitute a separate offense. (Section XI; A (2) of the Drought Contingency Plan). If three or more violations occur at premises to which the District services, service will be set for termination as outlined in the Rate Order. Services discontinued under such circumstances shall be restored ONLY upon payment of a reconnection fee (Section 2.03 of the District Rules and Regulations), plus all outstanding water and sewer services charges, and any other costs incurred by the District in discontinuing service, and all fines imposed hereunder. In addition, suitable assurance must be given to the District that no further violations of this Plan will occur at said premises while any state of the Plan is in effect.

The following items are allowed:

A) All emergency, fire fighting, and medical & health care uses.

B) Watering of vegetable gardens with sprinkler or irrigation systems nightly beginning at 7:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. on the following day.

C) Watering of lawns, vegetation, and vegetable gardens with hand-held buckets, drip irrigation systems, or hoses equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle or valve nightly beginning at 7:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. on the following day.

D) Filling or makeup of existing pools, hot tubs, and similar facilities nightly beginning at 7:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. on the following day.

E) Normal use by commercial washing facilities but voluntary reductions are requested.

Voluntary Reduction for Indoor Domestic Use Is Also Requested

Also please be advised that the District has to pay the City of Seabrook a surcharge of $0.97/100 gallons when the District exceeds its daily usage allotment of water which has been the case almost daily during the current drought. Accordingly, while the moderate drought condition is in affect and to encourage conservation, the regular water rates in addition to the Drought Contingency Rates (Section X) incorporated into the Rules and Regulations will be implemented.

These restrictions will be in effect until further notice. Your cooperation and assistance in helping the District to conserve the water supply during this time is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Board of Directors
Harris County W.C.I.D. No. 50

Notice of Mandatory Restrictions on Water Use as of August 2, 2023

To Our Valued Customers:

The City of Pasadena, the source of the City of Seabrook’s water supply, has informed the City of Seabrook, the source of WCID 50’s water supply that Pasadena has reduced the pressure of the water it supplies to Seabrook.  W.C.I.D. No. 50 in turn has been informed by Seabrook that it has done the same.  WCID 50 must therefore also implement water use restrictions so as not to exceed its available supply.  Accordingly, W.C.I.D. No. 50 is implementing Restrictions on Water Use per the District’s Rules and Regulations and provided for under the Texas Water Code.

The severity of the current drought is considered moderate; therefore it shall be unlawful to use water as listed below:

A) Use of water sprinkler or irrigations systems except on Saturdays between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

B) Non-commercial washing of automobiles, trucks, boats, trailers, lawn equipment, golf carts, airplanes, and other mobile equipment except on Saturdays between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

C) Complete draining and/or filling of existing swimming pools, hot tubs, and similar facilities.

D) Filling of new swimming pools, hot tubs, and similar facilities.

E) Washing of impervious surfaces such as streets, driveways, sidewalks, patios, and parking areas except for immediate human health, safety, and welfare.

F) Operation of non-recirculating fountains.

G) Wasting of water in general.

Note
:  The term “waste of water” shall mean any use of potable water purchased from the District for any purpose other than a) Domestic indoor consumption, such as cooking, bathing and sanitary use; b) uses where health concerns require large quantities of water; and c) any manufacturing process requiring, for efficient operation, large volumes or pressures of water.

Violation of water use restrictions is considered a type one (1) offense.  The penalties for such violations are:

1. Suspension of District service for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours

2. A re-connect fee of $100.00 per offense. (Section 2.03 of the District Rules and Regulations).

The following items are allowed:

A) All emergency, firefighting, and medical & health care uses.

B) Watering of vegetable gardens with sprinkler or irrigation systems daily between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

C) Watering of lawns, vegetation, and vegetable gardens with hand-held buckets, drip irrigation systems, or hoses equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle or valve between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

D) Filling or makeup of existing pools, hot tubs, and similar facilities between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

E) Normal use by commercial washing facilities but voluntary reductions is requested.

Voluntary Reduction for Indoor Domestic Use Is Also Requested

Also please be advised that the District has to pay the City of Seabrook a surcharge of $0.97/1000 gallons when the District exceeds its daily usage allotment of water which has been the case almost daily during the current drought. Accordingly, while the moderate drought condition is in affect and to encourage conservation, the regular water rates in addition to the Drought Contingency Rates incorporated into the Rules and Regulations will be implemented.

These restrictions will be in effect until further notice.  Your cooperation and assistance in helping the District to conserve the water supply during this time is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Board of Directors
Harris County W.C.I.D. No. 50

Road Closure on Lakeshore Drive

Northbound traffic closure on Lakeshore Drive between Tallowood Drive and Bayview Drive for installation of new storm sewer and concrete paving.

Timeline: 1/18/23 – 5/18/23

CCISD has been notified, so bus routes may be modified during this time.

Taylor Lake Place Residents Only – Boil Water Notification

Harris County WCID No. 50

Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission On Environmental Quality has required WCID No. 50 to notify customers residing in Taylor Lake Place to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you.

If you have any questions regarding this matter you may contact Harris County WCID No. 50 David Baker or John Riley (281) 326-5573 or (281) 904-7906.

Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 50

District Bulletin Board

Results of TCEQ’s Citizen Complaint Investigation, RE: WCID50’s Drought Contingency Plan – No Violations

Freeze Prevention Tips

Land Subsidence in the United States – USGS Report : April 1, 2000

Where land is sinking the fastest in the U.S.A. (Houston Gulf Coast is #1) – The Washington Post : May 30, 2023

Harris County Drainage Improvement Project

The Harris County Drainage Improvement Project is now complete.

With thanks for a job well done to:

Harris County Flood Control District
Harris County Engineering Department
Harris County Precinct 2
Conrad Construction Co., Inc.
Midtown Engineers, LLC.

and especially Mr. John Riley, our District Superintendent and Operator, whose engineering oversight ensured that the new infrastructure installed would be sustainably serviceable and maintainable well into the future.

Community Care and Awareness: Public Service Insights from the Texas Association of Water Board Directors (AWBD)

Protect the Pipes, Don’t Flush the Wipes!” Despite being marketed as flushable these wipes cannot be processed through sewerage treatment plants and wreak havoc on them, driving up operating costs and in turn your bills. They can also clog pipes and cause sewage backups, leading to public health hazards and expensive repairs.

Stormwater Drains Aren’t Trash Dumpsters.” They should not be used for disposal of any materials or liquids other than water as they are direct channels to our rivers and oceans. Be a pollution preventer not a pollution participant.


Through WCID No. 50’s website you can easily find links to the following services:

 

Corona Virus Notice

Due to the current corona virus situation, our office will be closed to visitors until further notice; however, our office staff will still be on duty to take calls and handle administrative processes and our field personnel will still be out performing their regular duties including meter reading. While they welcome greetings and a friendly howdy or wave hello, please avoid direct contact with them for now. For water emergencies and to conduct other business please contact the office by telephone at (281) 326-5573.

To pay bills we would prefer at this time that you pay online rather than by mail or using our drop box so as to limit pathways for transmission of the virus.

Pay Online Here

We hope you remain well and that these temporary measures will only be required for a short time.

Thank you.

Notice of Sewer Line Smoke Testing

The District has recently completed an approximately 20-year program to renovate or replace all of the aging sewer lines within the District using modern, durable, and long-lasting pipe materials. All of this was accomplished within the District’s normal annual budgets except for the last recently completed segments, which were funded under voter approved bond authority at as minimal a level as possible.

Read more…