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Latest News
Implementation of Stage 2 of Drought Contingency Plan
Due to minimal rainfall and persistent high temperatures throughout Harris County, please be advised that the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority (the “Authority”) will enter Stage 2 (Moderate Drought) of its Drought Contingency Plan (“DCP”), effective August 27, 2023. The Authority has determined that it is necessary to trigger Stage 2 in order to facilitate compliance with its Groundwater Reduction Plan and the requirements of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District.
The Authority’s DCP currently provides that Stage 2 may be triggered if the City of Houston (the “City”) reduces the quantity of its supply of water to the Authority by more than 10% but less than 20% for five (5) consecutive days or if the City has implemented Stage 2 of its DCP. Although the City has not reduced its supply of water to the Authority to date, the City has issued notice of its intent to enter Stage 2 of its drought contingency plan on August 27, 2023, and requested the implementation of mandatory water conservation measures. Accordingly, the Authority has elected to trigger Stage 2 of its DCP and hereby requests that all Member Districts implement their respective drought contingency plans and mandatory water conservation measures beginning August 27, 2023.
During Stage 2, the Authority recommends that the Member Districts, at a minimum, restrict and/or prohibit non-essential water use for the following activities: (1) street washing; (2) fire hydrant flushing; and (3) filling of swimming pools. The Authority will continue to monitor water use and will provide further notice if the drought stage changes or if Stage 2 conditions have been lifted.
A copy of the Authority’s DCP can be found on the Authority’s website at https://www.chcrwa.com/documents/. Should you have any questions concerning the above-referenced matter, please contact the Authority’s Operator, Jared Martin of Municipal Operations & Consulting, Inc., at jmartin@municipalops.com. Thank you for your cooperation.
Surface Water/Groundwater Update
Please be advised that due to the Regional Water Authority Surface Water algae bloom and extreme heat forecast we will be transitioning from surface water to ground water provided by water well #1 at the Water Plant. We will be closely monitoring the situation and working with the Central Harris Regional Water Authority as updates arise. As conditions improve, we will notify all affected communities that we will be transitioning back to surface water. In the interim we will be flushing the district to mitigate any water quality issues.
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
Regional Water Authorities- Surface Water Issue – Odor
Precision Utility has received a notice from the Regional Water Authorities that surface water provided through the regional water authorities have received complaints about water taste and odor. The cause of this is linked to algae blooming influenced by temperature.
A notice provided by the Regional Water Authorities will be included with this memo to provide more information on the cause of this issue. The latest update provided stated that they are actively trying to correct this issue, however we should have a contingency plan on standby in case water quality doesn’t improve.
The contingency plan for our districts would be running the groundwater wells in place of surface water, until their issues with surface water have been corrected. The main
reason that we have not moved forward with this plan already is due to additional water quality issues that may arise from using only well water. These water quality issues may affect color, taste, and odor.
For now, to mitigate this issue, Precision Utility technicians are flushing affected districts to bring in fresher water.
Mr. Bonaventure has been in contact with NHCRWA and CHCRWA Operators. Any updates provided on this issue will be forwarded to all interested parties.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
On Behalf of Tony Bonaventure, MBA
Manny Vadhar, Controller
Precision Utility, LLC
Click below for additional information regarding the memo from the Regional Water Authorities
Recent Taste and Odor Inquiries Regarding Drinking Water
The Surface Water Supplied by the Authority is Safe to Drink
The recent changes in taste and odor of the treated surface water being delivered by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (the “Authority”) to a few districts are believed to be the result of a spike in Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) which are naturally occurring compounds found in Lake Houston. All recent test results have confirmed that the water being supplied by the City of Houston to the Authority and by the Authority to its customers is indeed safe and meets all State and Federal drinking water requirements.
The Authority purchases treated surface water from the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant (the “NEWPP”), the raw water source of which is the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. Seasonal changes such as temperature and rainfall events can influence Geosmin and MIB levels in the water in Lake Houston. Seasonal changes in the lake can impart variations in taste and odor of the treated surface water. The City of Houston continuously monitors the incoming raw water and the finished water leaving the NEWPP to ensure its compliance with all applicable State and Federal drinking water standards.
The Authority is working with the City of Houston to mitigate the variations in taste and odor to the maximum extent possible. Proper disinfection levels are being monitored and maintained. Flushing, where appropriate, is being done to help alleviate the situation. The Authority is continuing to monitor, sample and test the water coming into our system and throughout our transmission and distribution system to ensure that the drinking water being delivered by the Authority is safe to drink.