Author: HCMUD 341

Construction is proceeding at Lake G which is located at the eastern side of Turkey Creek.  The MUD has completed the pipe replacement work between Lakes G and H which is located further east of Lake G.  As part of the clean-up of that phase of the project, the damaged sidewalk between the lakes has been replaced.  The area along the pipeline right of way is now open to all residents.   The removal of the broken concrete around the edge of Lake G is also complete.  Final cleanup of that damaged area will begin soon.

The next phase of the project is the installation of the new concrete drainage lines from Lake G to Turkey Creek.  Because of the heavy equipment and large concrete pipe to be installed, the area on the east side of Turkey Creek between the footbridge and Indian Shores Lane will be closed to all foot traffic.  Please see the attached map for details.  The walking bridge over Turkey Creek will be kept open, but walkers can only access the southern side of Lake G.  To walk both sides of Turkey Creek as a loop, individuals will need to use the temporary crossing of Turkey Creek near Indian Shores Lane.  This will require walking up/down the sides of the creek.  This temporary crossing should only be used with care by fully mobile individuals.

Once the work on the eastern side of Turkey Creek is completed, the project will move to the western side of Turkey Creek and the MUD will announce different sidewalk closures.  Please remember this is a dynamic construction location and temporary additional or different closures may be required.   We apologize for the inconvenience, but these drainage lines are some of the most critical drainage infrastructures in our community.  If you have any questions, please contact us at www.hcmud341.org/contact.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue our 5-year plan to upgrade and replace aging infrastructure.

Harris County MUD 341 Board of Directors

HCMUD 341 residents:

TNG Utility will be repairing a service line break on Barton Falls and Salmon Creek.

Only residents on these two streets will experience a water outage today, 2-21-24, from 10:30am -12:00pm.

If you have any questions, please contact TNG Utility @ 281.350.0895.

Thank you for your patience during this repair.

HC MUD 341 would like to advise residents of potential winter weather and cold conditions coming next week as the forecasted cold front moves into our area.  While meteorologists are still uncertain regarding how cold it will get, there is the potential for a hard freeze.

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. To reduce the potential for issues, complete the following:

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 upstairs 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 to ensure they are wrapped tightly.
• Let your faucets drip throughout the period of freezing temperatures 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.