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.

The West Haris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) has activated its Drought Contingency Plan and has requested all Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) participants to also implement their Drought Contingency Plan. Therefore, West Harris County MUD 6 is activating its Stage 1 Response – Mild Water Shortage Conditions. All water users are requested to voluntary reduce water usage and limit outdoor irrigation of landscape areas to the following schedule:

• Even Numbered Addresses (those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) – Sundays and Thursdays between 8:00 pm and 10:00 am
• Odd Numbers Addresses (those ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) – Saturdays and Wednesdays between 8:00 pm and 10:00 am
• Those responsible for watering common areas such as greenbelts, esplanades or sports fields – Mondays and Fridays between 8:00 pm and 10:00 am

Thank you for your cooperation. Drought conditions impact all of us. Please stay informed, use common sense, and avoid wasting water.

West Harris County MUD 6 has completed it’s 5 year inspection of the Water Plant’s hydro-pneumatic tank. Today, February 23rd, the District will transition off of surface water provided by the City of Houston and back to its normal groundwater supply and chlorine disinfection methods.

If you have any questions or issues with your water or sewer service, please contact the District’s operator at 281-290-6500 or visit their website at www.mdswater.com.

Additional information about the District can be found at www.whcmud6.org.

There is no current news. Please check back for any updates within the District.

The National Weather Service has advised that subfreezing temperatures will begin tonight night and into Friday morning following the passage of a strong cold front. Freeze Warnings are in effect. High temperatures could quite possibly remain below freezing throughout the day on Friday and not warm up above freezing until during the day on Saturday.

*Note: The recommendation from Houston Public Works to not drip faucets does not apply to West Harris County MUD 6 customers.*

Report any problems with your water or sewer system to 281-290-6500 (24/7/365).

Follow the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service for information and forecast updates. www.weather.gov/hgx

West Harris County MUD 6 water is safe to drink. The District does not receive water from City of Houston and is not under a Boil Water Notice Advisory.