With the arrival of spring, it’s time once again to restore our yards to the lush, green spaces they once were. As you restart your sprinkler system after the winter shutdown, be sure to walk your sprinkler lines to check that all heads are functioning properly. This simple step helps prevent water waste and ensures your lawn gets the hydration it needs. Ideally, this should be done at least once a season, if not monthly. If you have a lawn service and your system runs overnight, you may not even notice a broken sprinkler head, which could lead to excessive water waste and higher costs. Remember, water rates continue to rise, largely due to charges passed on from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA).

Did you know that Texas A&M recommends against daily watering? Overwatering not only leads to higher usage and expensive bills, but also creates a soggy, unhealthy lawn. Instead, apply approximately half an inch of water per session, allowing the soil to fully absorb it before drying out for a day or two. This approach promotes deep root growth, making your turf more resilient while conserving water and reducing costs.

As a resident of M.U.D. No. 208, you have access to a smart meter that allows you to monitor your daily water usage through a personalized web portal. With this tool, the EyeOnWater app, you can track how much water your sprinklers use and detect potential leaks. Unfortunately, many residents are not taking advantage of this FREE tool. This App also allows the user to set up text or email alerts for unusual spikes in usage, helping you spot leaks and resolve issues before they escalate.

Now, for a limited time, new first-time users will receive a one-time $10 credit on their water bill when they sign up for the Eye on Water app.

With the app’s leak alert feature, if water is flowing continuously for 24 hours at a customer specified rate, say 1 gallon per hour, the customer is notified by a text and/or email that their household has a leak.  For example, the first graph below shows usage did not reach the set threshold line every hour so no alert is sent. In the second graph, usage exceeded the set threshold line every hour for 24 hours so an alert is sent.

Once a 24-hour period goes by with water flow less than the specified value, an alert is sent that the leak has stopped.

The EyeOnWater app lets you be in control. How’s that you ask? It allows you to engage with how you use water and see your latest water usage, understand how much water you use, detect leaks and discover when you use the most water. It also lets you:

• Quickly View your recent water usage with a two-week comparison.
• View detailed water usage history by day, week, month, and year.
• Discover your short and long term water usage trends
• Monitor your water usage, even when you are away from your home!

Plus, you can easily contact us! This is all simply at your fingertips and part of our service with the smart meters!

There are several ways to sign up for EyeOnWater. You can click on this link Smart Meter Account Sign Up which will send you to the smart water meter webpage on this website.  Another way to sign up is with your smart phone. Scan this QR code below to be directed to the EyeOnWater website or find EyeOnWater in the app store.

No matter how you sign up, you will need the following information to register your account:

• Your zip code
• 10-digit account number shown on your water bill – Example: 53208-XXXXX
• E-mail address (your e-mail address will not be sold or distributed)

Start taking control of your water usage – sign-up now!

Have you ever been driving down the street or out and about on a walk and see water coming out of a water meter or perhaps flowing out under a sidewalk? Prompt reporting is crucial to address potential emergencies swiftly.

M.U.D. No. 208 urges residents to report water or sanitary sewage emergencies promptly to our operator H2O Consulting by calling (281) 200-3388, available around the clock. Your swift action aids in timely repairs, preventing property damage and conserving our precious water resources. Please keep in mind every situation is different and in some cases a repair team will be dispatched immediately, while in other cases it may take a few days for repairs to be made.

When reporting, they’ll assess whether the leak originates from the districts’ infrastructure or within homeowners yard or residence. It’s essential for residents to locate their shutoff valves and understand the procedure for emergency shut-offs, ensuring swift containment of any leaks. Shut off valves can be located inside or outside the home or possibly in the garage.