Water Users Coalition

Giving Water Districts a Stronger Voice! Actively advancing ideas and concerns of our members.

NHCRWA Rate Increase

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Please read the two letters below sent to the North Harris County Regional Water Authority, and consider writing to them as well.

Good day to Everyone,

I hope you are all well. As we all deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that is effecting all of us; it is safe to say that this event has caused tremendous economic hardship on many people in addition to several other related problems. Many organizations have been forced to reassess and adjust their plans with the current reality.  

We recognize that the North Harris County Regional Water Authority is an organization on an important necessary mandated mission to provide surface water to our communities. We support and believe in that mission. We also know that our constituents are feeling the economic hardship. Delinquencies are on the increase and will only get worse as this pandemic continues.

Please consider calling a special meeting next week for delaying the April 1, 2020 rate increase until a later date. We understand that this may possibly require a larger increase over the next two years. Most Mud operators have already changed their billing software to add in the April 1st increase, and will need time before the bills are scheduled to go out in early May to remove the increase.

Should this increase move forward we are very concerned that all of the water community will take an avoidable public relations hit. The perception of the water community not caring and/or being insensitive to the situation will be remembered for years to come. The Houston Chronicle would love to give the MUD’s a black eye. I can see the front page news now. Can you see it?

Thank you for your time and consideration. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Jerry Homan
General Manager, HCFWSD61

Below is a letter from Ron Chapman.

April 15, 2020

Directors
North Harris County Regional Water Authority
3648 Cypress Creek Pkwy., #110

Greetings,
Many members of the Water Users Coalition have expressed a concern over the April 1, 2020 North Harris County Regional Water Authority’s (NHCRWA) rate increase. Members have indicated that they would like for this rate increase to be postponed until a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please consider the following:

  • Economic hardship on our constituents
  • Public perception and relations
  • Texas Public Utilities Commission (temporary suspension of termination of service for nonpayment)
  • Media coverage
  • Water district cooperation
  • Governing entities reaction such as TCEQ, County, State, Federal.

While we understand and support the NHCRWA’s task of supplying surface water to our customers, this circumstance is requiring everyone to adjust and make difficult decisions. MUD’s are dealing with higher than normal delinquent balances that will increase the longer this pandemic continues. People are out of work and businesses are closing for no fault of their own.

We recognize that this may require a higher increase at a later date, however, this would be preferable to an increase now!

The Water Users Coalition Advisory Council strongly recommends that you reconsider the April 1, 2020 increase.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards,

Ron Chapman
Chairman, Water Users Coalition (WUC)

Water Users Coalition Notice

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Good day to Everyone,

The Water Users Coalition, (WUC) wanted to reach out to our membership and inform you of what is going on behind the scenes, with our advisory council and our membership. The Corona Virus has taken center stage with everyone for now. Please consider going to the following links https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html for up to date corona virus information.

Please follow the local, state and federal guide lines to be safe!

Our annual membership meeting has been postponed until further notice. Below is a few of the items we are working on.

The WUC will be asking the AWBD candidates the following five questions this year. We will send out the answers from each candidate, via handout and web site.

  • In a few words, what do you think is the most important thing we need to do (focus on) in order to ensure AWBD is a sustainable organization?
  • What would you do as an AWBD trustee to help MUD/PUDs?
  • How can we enhance AWBD’s efforts of educating the public, the press, other media, and other government officials about the true value of MUDs?
  • The 2020 AWBD LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLE # 11 states the following: AWBD opposes any effort to shift responsibility of maintenance for road or related facilities, including storm sewers located within the right of ways or within related easements dedicated to the public or a county, from counties to water districts. DO YOU AS A CANDIDATE SUPPORT PRINCIPAL # 11 AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN? YES___    NO ___    Please comment on your answer.
  • What in particular would you like to achieve as an AWBD Trustee?

The WUC is also working with the AWBD Local Government Sub Committee on the following topics of concern.

  • Local Agency maintenance of facilities – Example: County maintenance of roadways and drainage systems becoming the responsibility of a MUD.
  • Counties beginning to request monetary participation in upgrades/repair of drainage systems and roadways.
  • Operator concerns with compliance issues, violations, and inspections from the TCEQ.
  • Emergency Response Plans, (ERP) we are looking at the possibility of enhancing the ERP    and improve upon alert communication from the North Harris County Regional Water Authority and other water purveyors.

Thank you for your continued support! We will notify you when we schedule our next annual meeting.