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Dear residents:
The following is an explanation for the changes in
your water bill relating to the conversion from groundwater to
surface water in the western portions of Harris County. Mason
Creek UD has economically provided groundwater to its residents
through wells located within the district for nearly 30 years.
Recent changes in the regulation of groundwater usage have
affected the cost of providing water to district residents.
In 1975, the Texas Legislature
created the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (HGSD)
to address the problem of land subsidence in Harris and
Galveston counties. The rapid development of the region
continues to deplete the region’s groundwater aquifers. Over
the last ten years, the HGSD has worked with water districts,
cities and other water well owners to
reduce the use of groundwater, and ultimately to require conversion
from groundwater
to surface water. The conversion consists of a three-tiered
schedule to be phased in as follows.
By Year
% That Must Be From Surface Water
2010
30
2020
70
2030
80
MCUD along with other MUD’s in
the HGSD signed a contract with the City of Houston (COH) to meet the HGSD-mandated
surface water requirements. Under the contract, MCUD must pay
COH a monthly charge for all water usage. To cover this charge,
MCUD has established a special "Groundwater Reduction Fee" that
is stated separately on each water bill. The fee is $0.45 per
1,000 gallons, including minimum quantities and additional
quantities, if any. Example: For
a monthly bill showing usage of 6,000 gallons or less (minimum
bill), the fee would be $2.70. Amounts collected from this fee
are set aside and spent only to pay contract obligations to the
COH. We hope this provides a
comprehensive explanation for the changes on you water bill as
well as the events pertinent to the region as a whole.
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