History of Harris County MUD 368

Harris County Municipal Utility District (MUD) 368 -- originally known as Three Lakes MUD No. 1 -- was created by order of the Texas Water Rights Commission (currently the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - TCEQ) on December 13, 1973, to provide water and wastewater services to residents. Since that time, the District has added garbage collection and Harris County Precinct 4 Constable security services.

In September of 1990, Well No. 1, which reached into the Evangeline Aquifer, was plugged and discontinued after Benzene was discovered during state mandated testing. Dedicated to supplying those we served with the safest services possible, water was purchased from Northwest Harris County MUD No. 15 for the next 2-1/2 years. During that time, the Board worked to secure financing and begin construction on a new water well (Well No. 2), located in Pinecrest Forest Subdivision (at Water Plant No. 1), that goes into the Chicot Aquifer, which is separated from contamination in the Evangeline aquifer.

With concerns over a District tax rate that had peaked to its highest level in 1995 because the benzene issue and a downturn in the local economy, the Board worked to refinance some existing high interest bonds that were sold in the 1980's. This resulted in an extremely successful lowering of the rate from $2.90 per $100 property valuation to an impressive $1.50 per $100!

Two years later, due to renewed growth coupled with an increasing demand for water in the area, the District drilled a third water well in Three Lakes East Subdivision (Well No. 3), also within the Chicot Aquifer. And in 2002, in an effort to sustain safe drinking water and wastewater treatment services in the event of long-term weather-related outages, two automatic standby generators were installed at Water Plant No. 1 and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is another example of our continued commitment to safety and our proactive approach to the services we provide.

In 2004, an additional water well (Well No. 4), was drilled into the Jasper Aquifer and we expanded the Wastewater Treatment Plant capacity. In 2006, another water well (Well No. 5), was drilled into the Chicot Aquifer and we expanded Remote Water Well No. 4 to become Water Plant No. 2-- a plant that also includes automatic standby generator power and an increase in our water storage capacity by 200% -- providing improved water pressure regulation and fire-fighting capabilities throughout the District. We have also added additional pressure pumps at Water Plant No. 1 and the District now qualifies for the Texas Superior Water Rating awarded by the TCEQ for superior water quality and service. The District received this recognition on July 11, 2005.

Planned projects for 2007 include an expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant from 0.9 MGD (million gallons per day) to 1.275 MGD. Construction will be totally contained within the present fenced area. Completion of this Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is scheduled for late fall of 2008. A District storage building is nearing completion at the Water Plant No. 1. This building will house repair parts/equipment and protect a new trailer mounted portable generator for operating Remote Lift Station Pumps during power outages. The new trailer mounted generator purchased this year will ensure the Districts ability to provide wastewater treatment for our residents in the event of a major storm.
The Board continues to analyze the water needs of all of its customers and through its advanced planning, helps to meet those needs. The Board began planning for a new water well (No. 6) in the spring of 2007. Property for this well is being purchased with the drilling activities to begin this winter. Completion of this well and distribution line is scheduled to occur in the fall of 2008. These efforts will help ensure its customers uninterrupted water service into the future.

MUD No. 368 should complete the annexation of approximately 85 more acres of land into the District by December 2007. This additional property will add additional value to the District and will provide a means to continue the reduction of the tax rate that has occurred since 1995.

The Board has expanded its Contract Deputy Constable Program to a total of eight (8) officers. This will allow for better coverage and faster response times as the District continues to grow in size.

With a District now comprised of over 930 acres of land and an estimated additional 85 acres soon to be annexed, the Board has worked tirelessly to keep pace with this growth in our community, and to expand in size and continually upgrade existing plants and equipment all the while continuing to lower the tax rate to what it is today, $1.04 per $100 property valuation.

The District is currently in sound financial condition with modern, well maintained facilities. The Board continues to work to lower operational costs by improving efficiencies. These efforts will help to offset rising costs of electricity, chemicals and state mandated testing.

Harris County MUD #368 is managed by five elected Directors and is presently composed of eight subdivisions in various states of development: Three Lakes, Three Lakes East, Pinecrest Forest, Northpointe East, Willow Falls, StonePine, Northern Point and Ashford Place.