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At our website you will find links to learn more about Harris County MUD 341, how to pay your water bill, the trash service schedule, useful information including hurricane preparedness and even how to contact the MUD Board of Directors. As part of our enhanced communication initiative, we have added email as well as text notifications for service updates. Please provide your preferred phone number and email address at the link shown on this page. If you have already given us your phone number, then just add your email address.

Here at Harris County MUD 341, our mission is to provide you clean water, reliable sewer service, cost effective trash service and storm water drainage. Our customers include all Lakes on Eldridge homeowners, Kirk Elementary, and all the businesses on the corner of Eldridge and Tanner. Here are some fun facts about MUD 341:

• MUD 341 purchases most of the water it provides to customers from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority. This water is treated surface water from Lake Houston that is delivered to MUD 341 through a series of pipelines.
• To supplement the treated surface water supplied by WHCRWA, MUD 341 also owns and operates its own groundwater production facilities, including a water plant to ensure effective water treatment. Our water plant has back up power generation and 3 large water tanks to ensure water delivery even in emergencies.
• MUD 341 water and sewer facilities are on the same priority level as hospitals for restoration of electric service in the event of a disaster.
• MUD 341 maintains over 31 miles of water, sewer and storm water pipe ranging in size from 4” to 66” in diameter.
• Every week MUD 341picks up 20.5 TONS of trash and 3 TONS of recycling.
• MUD 341 has 288 inlets for storm water, 640 manholes and 90 fire hydrants.
• MUD 341 owns capacity in a local sewage treatment facility that can meet all our needs with capacity to spare.
• MUD 341 owns the 9 lakes in Lakes on Eldridge which exist to provide storm water detention.

All of us tend to take running water, sewer service, storm water drainage and trash collection for granted, but it takes a dedicated team to make that reliability happen. We as your Board of Directors are proud to lead that effort. We hope you enjoy our new website.

HCMUD 341 would like to advise residents of potential winter weather and cold conditions coming Thursday evening (12/22) and continuing to Friday morning (12/23) as the forecasted cold front moves into our area in the latter part of the week. While meteorologists are still uncertain regarding how cold it will get, there is the potential for a hard freeze in all non-costal locations.

What is a Hard Freeze?

A hard freeze is a temperature under 30° for over eight hours. When water freezes, it expands. When the freeze ends, the result can be broken pipes, no water, a big repair bill and the cost for the lost water. Those are not the only expenses and source of aggravation. You may also have to replace carpet, flooring, sheetrock, furniture, and other possessions. Those are the immediate issues, but there can be latent damage as well. With galvanized pipe, the pipe may not burst, but expansion can occur separating the galvanizing from the pipe and creating an area for corrosion to start and ultimately create leaks.

During Winter Storm Uri, one of the more vulnerable spots for leaks and bursts were the irrigation systems on residential homes. Below are some basic tips as well as pictures and instructions for irrigation backflow preventors; additionally, residents are always encouraged to consult with an irrigation specialist or plumber.

The irrigation shut off valves and backflow device are one of the common issues that most residents deal with during an extended freeze.

1. Turn off the shut-off valve. Most residential devices have two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue on the valve handles and located before and after the back flow device.
2. Release the water pressure, with a screwdriver release the water from the bleeder valves. The bleeder valves are usually located under the top of the backflow device. If the water does not stop flowing you may have not shut the valves off completely.
3. Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let the any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device.
4. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware / home services stores carry backflow insulating supplies.

Attached are pictures of the actual device and insulation covers for backflow devices and faucets.

As stated above, with temperatures expected to drop below freezing, it is a good time to refresh on the four P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

People

• Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
• To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
• Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
• Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

• While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
• Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
• If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
• If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
• If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

• All garden hoses should be disconnected from outside spigots.
• Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip if they are wrapped tightly.
• Let your faucets drip throughout the day to keep them from freezing.
• You should also open the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

• When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all your potted outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket.

Additionally, there are a few vehicle-safety tips to observe during winter weather:

• Keep vehicle gas tanks full
• Have tire pressures checked
• Keep a phone charger, first aid kit, blankets, and jumper cables in personal vehicles
• Check local road conditions at www.houstontranstar.org. State highway information is also available at www.drivetexas.org.

Here are some safety tips recommended by local Fire Departments regarding space heaters and other supplemental heating sources:

• If you use a space heater, make sure to keep it away from anything that may be flammable including curtains, indoor plants, bedding, etc. Also, do not keep it running overnight and do not keep it running in an unoccupied room. Always turn off space heaters when leaving the room and/or going to sleep
• Do not power space heaters with extension cords or power strips; do not use power strips or extension cords as an alternative for permanent wiring
• Never leave a space heater unattended, or a child unattended with a space heater
• Keep all combustible materials (and people) at least three (3) feet away from space heaters
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• Never overload outlets or breakers

Lastly, here are other tips in the event of a power outage in addition to freezing weather:

• If your home is not warm or you suspect the internal pipes could freeze, let water drip from several faucets or shut off water at the main shutoff valve and open all spigots to drain.  As temperatures rise, leave all faucets open and then open the main shutoff valve to restore water to the home.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors with good ventilation. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

2022 Project Accomplishments

Reliability and Water Quality Improvements

• Tank Rehabilitation at the Water Plant: The 3^rd of 3 water tanks was repaired and recoated, both externally and internally, this year.  The 2 other storage tanks at the site were repaired and rehabilitated in 2021.  This major project extends the life of these tanks 10-15 years.  Together these 3 tanks hold 572,000 gallons of water to serve our community.
• Additional Fuel Storage Tank Installed: A 500-gallon diesel fuel storage tank was installed and filled at the water plant bringing the total fuel storage to 1500 gallons.  In the event of a major power outage, this means the MUD can continue to provide water service, using generator power, for almost a week without additional fuel.  The MUD also has existing contracts with diesel providers to refill the tanks upon request.
• Natural Gas Generator installed at Sewage Lift Station: A new natural gas fired emergency generator was installed at the sewage lift station, which pumps sewage from the neighborhood to the regional sewage treatment plant.  This installation provides reliability of effective sewage transfer during a power outage.  If the sewage treatment plant was unable to perform for some reason, contracts exist to remove sewage by pumper truck.
• Electrical Reliability Improvements: All mercury and RFD switches were replaced at the water plant.  This greatly enhances the reliability of these important operational functions and extends their life by 10 years.
• Televising of Sanitary and Storm Water Lines: The remaining 75% of these lines were televised this year to look for internal damage.  Twenty five percent was completed in 2021.  The analysis which was completed in November 2022 showed several locations in the storm water lines where roots or trash were inhibiting full flow.  Repairs will commence in early 2023.  Only one sanitary line was identified for partial blockage and that repair will be completed in 2022.  The televising process is the most effective method to determine internal condition of the thousands of feet of pipe within the district.

Drainage and Lake Enhancements

• New Drainage into Turkey Creek: A new drainage pipe was installed into Turkey Creek near Lake Center Run.  This new pipe eliminated a bottleneck in the existing system which previously reduced the drainage capacity for all sections of the community located east of Turkey Creek.
• Rehabilitation of Lake H: Lake H is located near the end of Emerald Brook at the farthest southeastern portion of the subdivision.  This project included removal and replacement of 60” and 36” rusted drainage pipes within the lake and demolition of the old, decaying concrete edging around the lake.  The edge had become a safety issue.  The decaying concrete around the lake was replaced with a natural grassy edge consistent with many new subdivision installations.  Additional sod is still being installed in areas damaged by construction.
• Drainage Outfall Pipe Replacements: In addition to the replacements at Lake H, the 48” outfall pipe at Lake B near the intersection of Heather Run and Lake Shore Ridge was replaced with a new concrete pipe.  That pipe takes the street runoff from portions of Heather Run and Lake Shore Ridge and directs it into Lake B.  The previously existing pipe was metal and had rusted creating the potential for the streets to fail to drain adequately.
• Rehabilitation of Overflow box at Lake D: Lake D is located near Crescent Cove.  This drainage box began leaking and causing the lake to unexpectedly drop in water level.  While the HOA normally controls lake levels, the MUD owns the facility and repairs any non-functioning drainage related portions of the lake.   The area around the box was injected with a specialized foam that stopped the leaks.
• Replacement of Overflow Box at Lake F: Lake F is located at the intersection of Lake Center Run and Summer Falls.  This lake overflow box was completely replaced this summer after it was discovered to be leaking water and preventing the lake from maintaining its level.  This overflow box had been patched several times over the last 20 years.  The new box is a completely new concrete structure.
• Auburn Shores/Bristol Waters Street Drainage: Two existing street inlets were removed and replaced with larger inlets to enhance drainage in the Auburn Shores and Bristol Waters neighborhoods.  These inlets were installed after engineering modeling determined they would eliminate the routine flooding preventing egress from the Auburn Shores neighborhood.

Upcoming Projects for 2023 and 2024

• Drainage Outfall Pipe Replacements: As evidenced by the condition of the outflow pipes in Lakes H and B, the MUD has determined that all the outflow pipes into the lakes must be replaced.   In 2023, the MUD will replace pipes leading to the lake in Pelican Point, at the end of Bristol Banks (across from the clubhouse), at the south side of Bristol Banks and at the end of Lake Shore Ridge.   Additional outfall pipes will be replaced in 2024.  Each of these replacements will remove old, rusted pipes and replace them with new longer lasting concrete pipes.  This work will begin in early 2023.
• Replacement of Drainage Outfalls into Turkey Creek: Located near the pedestrian bridge over Turkey Creek, these large metal drainage pipes provide drainage outfall for most of the neighborhood.  They are also rusted.  The current pipe configuration will be replaced with a significant concrete structure.  Because this project is considered part of the flood control for Harris County, significant permitting and coordination with Harris County Flood Control District is required.  This work is currently estimated to begin in the 4^th quarter of 2023 in conjunction with the work at Lake G. 
• Rehabilitation of Lake G: Located on the east side of Turkey Creek, next to Lake H, this lake also has rusted drainage pipes that will be replaced with new concrete pipes, as well as having the broken concrete edges removed and replaced with a natural grassy edge.  The timing of this project is critical because this lake is used by the HOA for irrigation.  Taking the lake out of service requires that the work is done when irrigation needs are lower, such as during the 4^th quarter or 1^st quarter of the year.  During this time, irrigation water can be pumped from other lakes to maintain the property.   This rehabilitation is anticipated to begin in 4^th quarter 2023.

Additional information will be shared with the community as these projects move forward.  To stay up to date on all MUD issues involving water and sewer service, trash or drainage, please sign up for text and/or email alerts at www.hcmud341.org.