With freezing temperatures right around the corner, it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on precautionary measures for drops in temperature and cold weather.

The Four P’s to Prepare your Home this Winter:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• 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.
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• 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

• Turn off the sprinkler system 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 sprinkler system backflow device. A diagram is shown below.
• Release the water pressure 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.
• Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware/home services stores carry backflow insulation supplies.
• 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 as long as they are wrapped tightly.
• You can also open up 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 of your outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Other Tips

• Don’t forget to make sure your car is okay for the freezing temperatures. Check your anti-freeze and your batteries. Also make sure to check your tire pressure and the tread.
• Speaking of cars, make sure when you are on the road that you are mindful parts of the roads may be frozen, particularly bridges. Do not speed and never slam on the brakes.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

Recent articles in the Houston Chronicle have raised concerns and created confusion about the role and operations of water districts. Please be assured that AWBD is aware of, and closely monitoring, coverage of MUDs. We are working to ensure that the narrative surrounding MUDs and other special purpose water districts reflects the truth about the work you do every day and the indispensable role our districts play in responsible growth, infrastructure development, and expanding homeownership opportunities across Texas. AWBD is committed to providing training and education for its members and when called upon, to represent MUDs to the greater Texas audience.

Contrary to recent reporting, MUDs ARE:

• Subject to the property tax restrictions of SB 2.
• Open and visible to the public. All homebuyers and land purchasers in a MUD are required to be given TWO separate Notices regarding the existence of the MUD, including the tax rate, the voted debt for the MUD, and any debt that has been sold. All MUDs are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act
• Financially responsible. MUDs prepare annual budgets annually in accordance with the Texas Water Code and are required to manage funds in accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act – just like other governmental entities.
• Transparent. State law requires that MUDs prepare multiple reports for inclusion in statewide online databases. MUDs are also required to post tax rate and contact and financial information online under SB 2.
• A proven method for financing quality infrastructure in some of the country’s best master-planned communities. Without MUDs, these communities and thousands of others simply wouldn’t exist or would have been unaffordable for most homebuyers.
• GOOD FOR HELPING TEXANS REALIZE THEIR DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

YOU can play an essential role in shifting the narrative by sharing your own firsthand experiences about how your district positively impacts the community you serve. Whether it’s highlighting how new or rehabilitated water and wastewater infrastructure provides reliable service, explaining how thoughtful financial planning kept taxes stable during a period of rapid growth, or describing a community park, trail, or amenity made possible through MUD leadership, these personal stories resonate far more deeply than statistics alone. AWBD will use these anecdotes to create public relation pieces to be published in newspapers and periodicals. Please submit your stories to info@awbd-tx.org.

As these conversations continue in the public arena, AWBD will remain dedicated in advocating for our members and sharing the good news of special purpose districts’ impact in the growth and success of Texas. Your dedication to transparent governance, fiscal responsibility, and service to your communities is the foundation on which Texas neighborhoods thrive, and it deserves to be accurately represented. Thank you for your continued leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the residents you serve. Together, we will ensure that the value of MUDs is clearly understood and strongly defended statewide.

United Together,

Wendy Duncan

President, Association of Water Board Directors – Texas

The last day to use the splash pad this season will be Sunday, October 26. The splash pad will be closed for the season beginning Monday, October 27.

The District has received several complaints that people are not cleaning up after their dogs at the dog park.

PLEASE, PLEASE follow the posted rules and pick up after your dogs in the parks; especially in the off-leash park)!! Dog waste stations are onsite.