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WATERWORKS
Useful facts about your Water District
Surface Water Conversion
DIRECTORS The mission of the Fort Bend County Subsidence District is to control
land subsidence and manage groundwater resources through regulation, con-
James Cupp, servation, and coordination with suppliers of alternative water sources to as-
President sure an adequate quantity and quality of water for the future, (Source: Fort
Bend County Subsidence District web site, 2002.) While a number of ap-
Richard Lewis, proaches have been implemented to accomplish this mission, one of the most
Vice President, important of these is the development and implementation of regulatory and
Investment Officer management plans intended to reduce the current level of dependence upon
groundwater supplies to meet government mandates by established deadlines.
Donald F. Hill Currently, total water use in the Fort Bend County Subsidence District is
Assistant Vice President comprised of 60% groundwater and 40% surface water. The proposed Sub-
& Investment Officer sidence District Groundwater Reduction Program (GRP) will mandate that well
owners pumping 10 million gallons or more per year reduce their reliance
Beth Murany, on groundwater by 30% by 2013, with further reductions to 60% by
Secretary 2025. Entities pumping less than 10 million gallons per year, such as small
water well and agricultural users, are exempt from the regulatory mandate noted
Sylvia Lindley, above.
Assistant Secretary The Fort Bend County Subsidence District
The Fort Bend County Subsidence District was created by the Texas
Legislature in 1989 as a conservation and reclamation district (Act of May 26,
1989, 71st Leg., R.S., ch. 1045, 1989 Tex. Gen. Laws 4251). The Subsidence
Districts purpose is to provide for the regulation of the withdrawal of ground-
DISTRICT
water to prevent subsidence that contributes to flooding, inundation or over-
OPERATIONS:
flow of areas within the Subsidence District, including rising waters resulting
from storms or hurricanes, and boundaries are defined as all the territory within
George D. Farland
Executive General Fort Bend county.
Manager Although Fort Bend County had experienced only small amounts of
subsidence prior to the 1980s, several characteristics of the area raise concern
Mary Moore Hayes about the potential for increasing subsidence in the future:
Executive Administrative S Rapid growth
& Billing Manager S Water supply dependent almost entirely on groundwater
S Proximity to significant water-level declines in Harris County.
Daniel R. Whitcher As noted earlier, total water use within the Fort Bend County Subsid-
Executive Operations ence District consists of 60% groundwater and 40% surface water. The surface
Manager water, however, is primarily used for manufacturing and agricultural uses. In
addition to the moderate, but noticeable, amounts of subsidence, the heavy
dependence of groundwater has resulted in declining water levels in wells in
the aquifers.
Groundwater levels in wells drawing from the Chicot and Evangeline
Aquifers in the eastern part of the Fort Bend County Subsidence District have
Continued on page ___
18230 Old Richmond Road S Sugar Land, Texas 77478 S 281-277-0129
Subsidence District... Continued from page 1
declined more than 150 feet from 1943 to 1977. These
declines have resulted in increased operational costs to
well users.
The Subsidence Districts Groundwater Man-
agement Plan provides background planning informa-
tion, descriptions of current groundwater regulatory prac-
tices and programs, and an overview of District adminis-
trative operations. That Document should assist regu-
lated communities and the Texas Water Development
Board (TWDB) in understanding the historical direction
and proposed future objectives. Residence impacted by subsidence. HGCSD photo
S What is land subsidence? Land subsidence is the
loss of elevation of the land surface caused by the withdrawal of fluid.
S What harm is there in subsidence? As the ground sinks, large bowl shaped depressions form in the
terrain. These depressions may begin with a subsidence of only a few inches but may be several miles across
in size leaving changes that are not noticeable to the eye. However, the depression changes the existing water
runoff pattern to a degree that excess water pools rather than running off. The greater the subsidence, the more
likely the area will see increased flooding.
S How can subsidence be stopped? Moving towards the use of surface water from rivers, lakes, streams,
and reservoirs and depending less on groundwater has proved an effective way to limit or stop land subsid-
ence.
The staff at Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 25 is working with a number of profession-
als to ensure compliance with the mandate within the parameters defined. One of the methods under review
is the potential for effluent reuse. Reuse of effluent resources, when and where appropriate, strongly supports
the goals of the Subsidence District with regard to the reduction of groundwater usage. Most importantly, reuse
of effluent supplies, in place of groundwater, preserves precious supplies of water for future generations, in-
creasing the probability that when our children and grandchildren need drinking water, it is there. n
Every 79 seconds an identity is stolen!
This year more than victims of identity theft suffer very
500,000 Americans will be little monetarily but resolving
robbed of their identities, with credit problems resulting from the
more than $4 billion stolen in their identity theft can be time-consum-
names. The FBI reports that iden- ing and frustrating.
tity theft is the fastest growing crime n Protect yourself. Make sure
in America. a security alert or victim statement
Most victims dont realize is on file with credit bureaus.
the theft occurred for several n Inform creditors. Contact
months or even years, and can each creditor with the fraud ac-
spend anywhere from 6 months to count and inform them that the n Understand the process.
2 years recovering from the expe- account is fraudulent. Creditors have different methods
rience. Identity thieves feed off of n Call the police. File a police for handling fraud claims. Confirm
your everyday transactions: writing report and keep a copy of the re- what exactly is expected from you,
a check at the grocery store, charg- port and/or the case number for and find out what to expect from
ing gas for your car...or by stealing creditors. them. Ask for a document that
your purse or wallet, your mail, by n Document all contacts. states you are not responsible for
picking up a credit card receipt, Make notes of everyone you speak the debt.
and by going through your trash, with and when; record names, de- n Follow up. Make sure every-
just to name a few methods. Most partment names, phone numbers. Continued on page 5
FAQ ABOUT YOUR WATER BILL
Residents have frequent questions about their water
and sewer bills. Here are the most frequently asked
questions:
Q. When is the bill due?
A Payment for your water bill is due, and must be Now You Can Pay
in the District office, by the 24th of each month.
The bill is considered past due if received in the
Your Bill Online!
District office after the 24th of the month and is The District is pleased to announce that
subject to late fee. If the water is disconnected, a re- you can now pay your water and sewer bills
connect fee of $ 50.00, PLUS $ 75.00 DEPOSIT IF online! All it takes to pay your bill from the com-
NONE IS ON FILE. Receipt of a new bill does not fort of your home or office is a computer with
extend the due date of a previous, past due balance. Internet access, a checking account, and your Dis-
Service is subject to termination due to unpaid past trict account number. Go to
due balances. www.waterdistrict25.com, click on WEBPAY,
Q. What if I dont receive my bill? and follow the instructions. Eliminate the expense
A Bills are mailed to all customers monthly. The of postage and envelopes as well as the inconve-
District is not responsible for errors that may occur nience of writing checks. Reduce the worry asso-
due to problems with delivery of mail. You are re- ciated with lost mail. Rely on WEBPAY, the fast
sponsible for ensuring your bill is paid in a timely and easy way to pay your bill!
manner.
Q. What if my payment becomes lost and near future).
never received by your office? If you decide to use the drop box or mail your
A Again, the District is not responsible for payments payment, you should mail or drop off in ad-
lost in transit (to include payments lost in the mail vance of the date due to insure receipt in our
and/or losses associated with online transactions). offices by the 24th.
Q What if the bill is paid after the 24th? Q Where is the District located?
A You will incur a $10.00 late fee for any balance A The address is 18230 Old Richmond Road, Sugar
that is not paid by the 24th. Land, TX. 77478.
Q Where do I pay the bill? Q When does the District pick up payments
A For your convenience, there are five ways and/or from the drop box and post office box?
methods available to pay your bill: A Payments at the post office and the drop box are
1. Bills can be paid in the District office. The Dis- picked up daily, Monday Friday, by 7:15 a.m.
trict office is located at 18230 Old Richmond Road, Q Whom do I call if I have a problem with
between Voss and FM 1464 (on the STP site, between my bill?
the sub-divisions of Pheasant Creek and A Call 281-277-0129, ext. 109, 105, 112 and speak
Summerfield). with someone in the billing department.
2. You can save postage by dropping your payment
in the drop box at the Pheasant Creek Food Mart Online Bill Payment Services
(Texaco) at the corner of Old Richmond Road and Those who utilize an online bill payment service
Pheasant Creek Drive. should allow seven-ten days for postal mail
3. Mail to Fort Bend County MUD #25, P .O. delivery, since online payments are not an elec-
Box 2847, Sugar Land, TX. 77487-2847. tronic transfer of funds. The check is actually
4. Use the Districts free ACH service! Its quick, mailed to the District office.
and easy and ensures your payment is made even if
youre out of town. ACH Bill Payments Residents can sign up for
5. If you have a checking account, you can write/ ACH bill Payment Service by contacting the District
issue a check online/make your payment online office. Its free to District customers, the payment is an
by going to www.waterdistrict.25.com, click on web electronic transfer of funds, and your water bill ac-
pay online and follow the instructions (checks only count is credited the same day funds are debited from
for now; credit card payments will be accepted in the your account.
Water Conservation is Everyones Business!
In Texas, our conventional new low-volume flush toilet stopper in the sink for washing
fresh-water supplies are already 75 that uses only 1.6 gallons per flush. and rinsing pots, pans, dishes, and
to 80 percent developed. Thats cooking implements rather than
why the more efficient use of our turning on the water faucet each
precious water resources through time a rinse is needed.
water conservation and reuse n Only run the dishwasher with a
makes economic sense, both to full load. This will save water, en-
preserve and extend limited water ergy, detergent and money.
supplies and to save Texans real n Keep a container of drinking wa-
money. ter in the refrigerator. Running wa-
The biggest potential saver ter from the tap until it is cool
is you, the water customer. Con- enough to drink is wasteful.
sider that even a 10 to 15 percent n Use a small pan of cold water
reduction in personal water use 3. Test toilets for leaks. Add a when cleaning vegetables rather
can save Texas water and sewer few drops of food coloring to the than letting the water run over
ratepayers billions of dollars over water in the toilet tank, but do not them.
the next 50 years. The effort to con- flush the toilet. Watch to see if the n Use less water for cooking. Not
serve water must begin now, how- coloring appears in the bowl within only does it save water, but also
ever, with everyones participation a few minutes. It if does, the toilet food is more nutritious when the
and support. has a silent leak that needs to be vitamins and minerals are not
Here are some ways to repaired. boiled out of them and poured
save both water and money 4. Use some type of toilet tank down the sink with the extra water.
at home: displacement device to reduce n Always keep water conserva-
the volume of water in the tank, tion in mind. Avoid doing waste-
but still provide enough for flush- ful things like making a huge pot
ing. (Bricks are NOT recom- of coffee if youre only going to
mended because they eventually drink one or two cups, or even
crumble and could damage the throwing away a glass full of ice
working mechanisms.) Displace- after it cooled a few swallows of
ment devices are not recom- water. These things may not seem
mended with new low-volume like much, but they add up over
flush toilets. time.
1. For an investment of $10 to 5. Do not use hot water when
$20, homeowners can install two cold water will do. Period.
low-flow shower heads, place 6. In the kitchen...
dams or bottles in the toilet tank, n Scrape the dishes clean instead
install low-flow aerators on the fau- of rinsing them before placing
cets, and repair dripping faucets them in the dishwasher.
and leaking toilets. This could
save the average household
10,000 to 25,000 gallons each
year for a family of four, and would
pay for itself in less than a year!
Even more savings can be realized
if good outdoor water conserva-
tion is practiced for the lawn and
garden.
2. When building a new home or 7. In the Laundry...
remodeling a bathroom, install a n Fill a pan of water or put a n Did you know that 32 to 59
gallons of water are required for can waste as much as 170 gallons and can make a substantial sav-
each washing machine load? of water EACH DAY, or 5,000 gal- ings in your water bills.
Wash only full loads of clothes lons a month. This will increase n Make sure that the line from the
when using your washing ma- your water bill. water meter to your house is free
chine. n Repair leaky faucets promptly. of leaks. To check, turn off all in-
n Use the lowest possible water It is easy to do, it costs very little door and outdoor faucets and wa-
level setting on the washing ma- ter-using appliances. The water
chine. meter should be read at 10 to 20
n Use cold water whenever pos- minute intervals. If it continues to
sible. This saves energy, too, and run or turn, a leak probably exists
conserves the hot water for other and needs to be located.
uses. This is also better for most of n Insulate all hot water pipes to
todays fabrics. reduce the delays (and wasted
8. Appliances and Plumb- water) experienced while waiting
ing... for the water to heat up.
n When purchasing new appli- n Set the thermostat on the hot
ances, check the water require- water heater at a reasonable level.
ments of various models and Extremely hot settings waste water
brands. Some use less water than (because it takes some extra cold
others. water to make it usable) and en-
n Check water line connections ergy and can even cause minor
and faucets for leaks. A slow drip burns. l
Stolen Identity! n Equifax Credit n Social Security Administration
Information Services Phone: 800-772-1213
Continued from page 2 Consumer Fraud Division To report the fraudulent
thing a creditor/credit bureau has Phone: 800-525-6285 or: use of your checks:
requested is received. Follow up 404-885-8000 n CheckRite
call or send a letter for confirma- Fax: 770-375-2821 Phone: 800-766-2748
tion. .O.
P Box 740256 n ChexSystems
n Review reports regularly. Atlanta, GA 30374 Phone: 800-428-9623 or
Obtain a copy of your personal n Experian 800-328-5121
credit report several months after National Consumer Assistance n CrossCheck
the case is closed. .O.
P Box 9530 Phone: 800-552-1900
n Dont throw away files. Keep Allen, TX 75013 n Equifax Phone: 800-437-5120
all notes and correspondence in an Phone: 888-397-3742 n National Processing Co.
accessible file in case they are Government agencies: Phone: 800-526-5380
needed in the future. n Federal Trade Commission n SCAN - Phone: 800-262-7771
Here are some resources Phone: 877-438-4338 n TeleCheck
that you may find useful if this situ- n U.S. Postal Inspection Service Phone: 800-710-9898 or
ation ever happens to you... www.usps.com/postalinspectors 800-366-2425. l
RESOURCES:
Credit Bureau Fraud
Departments:
n TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Dept.
Phone: 800-680-7289
Fax: 714-447-6034
.O.
P Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Groundwater Primer -- The ABCs of WATER
A
round the world, water is be- Collection site: A stream, lake, Depletion: The loss of water from
coming a hot news topic reservoir, or other body of water surface water reservoirs or ground-
and, unfortunately, a major fed by water drained from a water- water aquifers at a rate greater than
area of contention between shed. that of recharge.
countries and even among some Condensation: The process in Discharge: An outflow of water
of our United States. There has the hydrologic cycle by which a va- from a stream, pipe, groundwater
also been significant concern por becomes a liquid; the oppo- aquifer, or watershed; the opposite
about drought throughout the site of evaporation. of recharge.
Southwest and in other parts of the Confined Aquifer (also known
world. as artesian or pressure aquifers): an
Closer to home, in Harris underground geological formation
Galveston, and Fort Bend Coun- where the groundwater is bound
ties, the Subsidence Districts have between layers of impermeable
issued groundwater reduction man- substances like clay or dense rock.
dates that impact some municipal When tapped by a well, water in
water districts in the area. This confined aquifers is forced up,
mandate to reduce reliance on sometimes above the soil surface.
groundwater will require us to con- This is how a flowing artesian well
tract for surface water resources that is formed. Drought: An extended period
will offer a long-term supply of with little or no precipitation; of-
quality drinking water for the years ten affects crop production and
ahead. availability of water supplies.
In preparation for more Erosion: The wearing down or
widespread discussion of water is- washing away of the soil and land
sues by the local media and by our surface by the action of water,
area residents, here is a glossary wind, or ice.
of water terms to keep for handy Evaporation: The conversion of
reference. a liquid (water) into a vapor (a gas-
Water Glossary... eous state), usually through the
Aquifer: An underground geo- application of heat energy during
logical formation able to store and Conservation: The use of water- the hydrologic cycle; the opposite
yield water. saving methods to reduce the of condensation.
amount of water needed for Fresh water: Water with less than
homes, lawns, farming, and indus- 0.5 parts per thousand dissolved
try, and thus increasing water sup- salts.
plies for optimum long-term eco- Groundwater: Water found in the
nomic and social benefits. spaces between soil particles and
Consumptive use: The use of a
resource that reduces the supply
without returning an equal
amount. Examples include the in-
take of water by plants, humans,
and animals and the incorporation
of water into the products of in-
dustrial or food processing.
Contaminant: Any substance
that, when added to water (or an-
other substance), makes it impure
and unfit for consumption or use.
cracks in rocks underground (lo- when water enters the saturation less, colorless liquid made up of a
cated in the saturation zone). zone by actions like rain or snow combination of hydrogen and oxy-
Groundwater is a natural resource melt. gen; a major constituent of all liv-
that is used for drinking, recre- Runoff: Precipitation that flows ing matter.
ation, industry, and growing crops. over land to surface streams, riv- Water quality: The chemical,
Hydrologic cycle (also known as ers, and lakes. physical, and biological character-
the water cycle): The paths water Soil: The top layer of the Earths istics of water with respect to its suit-
takes through its various states (va- surface, containing unconsolidated ability for a particular use.
por, liquid, solid) as it moves rock and mineral particles mixed Water quality standard: Rec-
throughout the ocean,atmos- with organic material. ommended or enforceable maxi-
phere, groundwater, streams, etc. Storm drain: Constructed open- mum contaminant levels of chemi-
Impermeable layer: A layer of ing in a road system through which cals or materials (such as chlo-
material (clay) in an aquifer runoff from the road surface flows robenzene, nitrate, iron, arsenic) in
through which water does not pass. into an underground system. water.
Municipal water system: A net- Watershed: The land area from
work of pipes, pumps, and storage which surface runoff drains into a
and treatment facilities designed to stream, channel, lake, reservoir, or
deliver potable water to homes, other body of water; also called a
schools, businesses, and other us- drainage basin.
ers in a city or town and to remove Water table: The top of an un-
and treat waste materials. confined aquifer; indicates the
level below which soil and rock
are saturated with water.
Surface water: Water above the Water treatment plants: Facili-
surface of the land, including ties that treat water to remove con-
lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, flood- taminants so that it can be safely
water, and runoff. used.
Subsidence: the lowering in el- Wetlands: Lands where water
evation of the surface of land by saturation is the dominant factor in
the withdrawal of groundwater. determining the nature of soil de-
Point source pollution: Pollut- Wastewater: Water that contains velopment and the types of plant
ants discharged from any identifi- unwanted materials from homes, and animal communities. Other
able point, including pipes, businesses, and industries; a mix- common names for wetlands are
ditches, channels, sewers, tunnels, ture of water and dissolved or sus- sloughs, ponds, and marshes.
and containers of various types. pended substances.
Pollution: An alteration in the
character or quality of the environ-
ment, or any of its components,
that renders it less suited for cer-
tain uses. The alteration of the
physical, chemical, or biological
properties of water by the introduc-
tion of any substance that renders
the water harmful to use. Xeriscaping: An environmentally
Precipitation: The part of the hy- Wastewater treatment: Any of friendly form of landscaping that
drologic cycle when water falls, in the mechanical or chemical pro- uses a variety of indigenous and
a liquid or solid state, from the at- cesses used to modify the quality drought-tolerant plants, shrubs,
mosphere to Earth (rain, snow, of wastewater in order to make it and ground cover.
sleet). more compatible or acceptable to (Source: The Groundwater Foundation;
Recharge: Groundwater supplies humans and the environment. courtesy of the North Harris County Re-
are replenished, or recharged, Water (H2O): An odorless, taste- gional Walter Authority, WATERLINES.)
DISTRICT NEWS! LET US HEAR FROM YOU...
DISTRICT TAX The Board of Directors of
RATE REDUCED! Fort Bend County Municipal Util-
Fort Bend Co. Municipal ity District No. 25 wants to hear
Utility District No. 25 has set its from you! Your concerns, kudos
2002 tax rate at $0.90 per or complaints regarding the service
provided by the District -- or any
$100 of assessed value. The
$0.90 tax rate represents a de- other comments you wish to share Communicate!
crease in taxes for the sixth -- are important to us. This input is
straight year! The District con- taken very seriously as it alerts us
tinues to realize the economic to emerging issues and problems
benefit of recent growth within and helps the Board make in-
our area as well as sound fiscal formed decisions.
management by the Districts We have a number of
Board of Directors and em- methods in place to allow you 4. MONTHLY MEETINGS --
ployees. quick and easy access to your Come to our District meeting! Your
Board of Directors anytime during Board of Directors holds a public
the year... meeting the second Friday of each
1. E-MAIL -- Our staff can be month at 5:30 p.m. at our office,
reached through the Internet! Resi- located at:
dents may contact us at our E-Mail 18230 Old Richmond Road
addresses listed on our website -- Sugar Land, Texas 77478
www.waterdistrict25.com -- in the
Contact Us area. Remember, the Board of
2. REGULAR MAIL -- You can Directors works for YOU...each
Attention Seniors! mail your comments to our Post resident of our District. Please let
The Board of Directors of Fort Office Box: us know how were doing and
Bend County Municipal Utility Fort Bend County Municipal what we can do to improve. We
District No. 25 have voted to Utility District No. 25 need your input and opinions to
give our resident senior citizens .O.
P Box 2847 make sure that our residents con-
a break! Senior citizens are en- Sugar Land, Texas 77487-2847 tinue to get the highest level of ser-
titled to a discount on annual 3. BY PHONE -- vice.
MUD taxes. For more complete Phone: 281-277-0129 Lets all work together to
information or to find out if you Fax: 281-277-0028 make our District even better!
qualify, please contact Assess-
ments of the Southwest, at
281-482-0216 or by e-mail:
Its up to us...Lets use our
aswtommy@swbell.net. water resources wisely!
Fort Bend County Municipal
Utility District No. 25
.O.
P Box 2847
Sugar Land, Texas 77487-2847
2/2003-2400
