Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 96

Dear Public Water System Official:

Severe drought conditions have returned to Texas, and forecasters are predicting that dry conditions may persist or worsen for the state. With the high use months of summer ahead, public water systems in Texas may start to see a strain on their water supplies. We must take the necessary steps to prevent the loss of drinking water for basic health and safety services. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is encouraging public water systems to take reasonable measures to increase conservation efforts and identify and secure alternative water supplies to meet potable water needs. Conservation and alternative water supply measures include the following:

• Implement your Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) at the appropriate stages to reduce consumption
• Encourage water conservation
• Implement public education and outreach strategies
• Measure and track existing water supplies
• Repair leaks in the distribution system to limit water loss
• Develop a plan to provide adequate and safe drinking water supplies
• Report to TCEQ the amount of water supply if it is approaching less than 180 days
• Timely seek authorizations and funding resources to extend existing supply or obtain new sources
• Evaluate infrastructure and develop plans to meet needs (e.g. extending intake structures to deeper waters, drilling new wells, etc.)

Your DCP is an important tool in conserving and managing your water supply during difficult times. We encourage you to review your DCP and prepare to implement water use restrictions as appropriate. If the water system you purchase water from has recently implemented restrictions, review your purchase contract and be prepared to implement restrictions, if necessary.

In accordance with TCEQ’s rules in 30 Texas Administrative Code §288.20(b), you are required to notify the TCEQ of any changes to the implementation water use restrictions. TCEQ has developed an on-line form to facilitate a faster reporting of these changes. Information is collected and will be used to focus State resources and assistance:

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/homeland_security/security_pws

This form should also be used for water supply shortage reporting. Please note that state law also requires water utilities to determine available water supply and report to TCEQ when supply is less than 180 days. This assessment should be based on all current sources (i.e. surface water, groundwater, and purchased treated water through an interconnection). Additional drought information is available at:

http://www.tceq.texas.gov/response/drought

If you don’t have reliable internet access, need help completing the form, or if you have questions, please call our Drought Program Representative in the Water Supply Division at 512-239-4691. The collective cooperation of all public water systems is vital to ensuring public drinking water needs can be sustained during this persistent drought.

Where can you go for more assistance and information?

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has a free assistance program to help your water system address drought or other financial, managerial or technical issues.
For more information about available free assistance, the drought in Texas, and how to report water use restrictions or concerns in your area, please contact the TCEQ’S drought-information hotline at 1-800-447-2827.

Sincerely,

Toby Baker
Executive Director
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Click here to read TCEQ letter.

Dear Customer:

On June 21, 2022, the City of Houston enacted Stage 1 of the City of Houston’s Drought Contingency Plan. Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 96 (the “District”) purchases the majority of its water from the City of Houston. Accordingly, to ensure that an adequate supply of water is available for drinking and bathing, you are hereby notified that Stage One of the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 96 Drought Contingency Plan is now in effect. Stage One includes the following VOLUNTARY water use restrictions:

1. Irrigation of residential landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8), and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), and irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days. However, irrigation of residential landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
2. Irrigation of green belts, esplanades and sports field shall be limited to Mondays and Fridays between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
3. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rises. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
4. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
5. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a re-circulation system.
6. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the District.
7. Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. However, if the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the District, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.
8. All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to patrons except upon request of the patron.
9. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
   1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
   2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
   3. use of water for dust control;
   4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; and
   5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

The Board of Directors appreciates your cooperation and perseverance during this Conservation Condition. Once the Conservation Condition ends, we will notify you and you may then return to normal usage. If conditions should worsen, you will be notified of more stringent restrictions, to ensure the availability of water in your community.

Very truly yours,

Board of Directors
Harris County Water Control and
Improvement District No. 96

As suggested by your Fall Creek Crime Watch Committee.

Call 911 for any crime IN PROGRESS

Call Harris County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Phone Number (713) 221-6000- Option 6 to report any suspicious activity.

Secure Your Car

• Lock cars & engage anti-theft alarm system -As long as criminals keep finding easy targets (unlocked cars}, they’ll keep coming back.
• Park in a locked garage or your driveway -Cars parked on street make easier targets.
• Hide valuables/garage door opener from sight or remove them from your car altogether – don’t leave valuables in car overnight.
• Consider wheel locks – Wheels/tires are typically stolen from larger vehicles (trucks & SUVs) that are parked in driveway due to size.

Secure Your Home

• Lock all doors and windows & engage home alarm system
  • Add glass break sensors to detect entry through windows/doors without alarm sensors
• Coordinate a Distress Code with your alarm company-A Distress Code silences the alarm, but a call still goes out to law enforcement, with 911 priority
• Consider installing a Ring doorbell (ring.com) to monitor front door traffic from your phone
• Reinforce doors –
  • Replace your 1″ screws with 3″ screws that go into the studs at the plate and hinges
  • Invest in quality deadbolts or swap out deadbolt locks with key bolt
• Make it look like someone is always home
  • Open windows blinds during the day (but close them at ni$ht)
  • Use timers for indoor lighting -vary the on/off times in different rooms
• Record Serial Numbers
  • Your items can’t be returned to you unless you’ve got a record of what you own.
  • Take pictures, especially of Serial Numbers, and store on a thumb drive kept somewhere safe.

Landscaping & Lighting

• Pick up newspapers in yard and business cards/fliers from front door
• Consider how your landscaping can deter or help criminals.
  • Cut large bushes/trees that provide unnoticed access to your home
  • Keep bushes in front of windows trimmed below window pane
    Thorny rose bushes in front of windows can deter a criminal
• Lock gates to backyard using pad locks (to prevent easy entry)
• Turn your porch lights and driveway lights on at night – use a timer to ensure lights are on even when you’re not at home or consider dusk to dawn sensor lighting
• Install motion activated flood lights in the rear and sides of the house to illuminate areas that normally have no lighting
• Clearly mark your street number on your home or curb so you can easily be located in case of an emergency

Be Aware & Know Your Neighbors

• As neighbors, we all have a vested interest in securing and maintaining our homes – IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
• Be aware of suspicious people/cars in your neighborhood – anything you may not recognize
• Be aware of suspicious people/cars following you home -from bank, from shopping or commuting from work
• Establish and build those relationships with your neighbors-Swap phone numbers so you can contact each other if you see a problem
• Join Nextdoor – it is a great resource to help you stay informed regarding Crime & Safety within Fall Creek. You can sign-up for specific neighborhoods & also join groups specific to your interests and/or Fall Creek village. This is primarily where the CWC & Block Captains distribute information. (At a minimum, consider activating “Urgent Alerts” to receive an immediate text in the event there is a major incident within Fall Creek.)

General Home Safety

• Establish/communicate a fire escape plan for your family & ensure maintained fire extinguishers are readily available within the home
• Never leave extra keys in expected places -under the doormat and in the flowerpot next to the door are not smart hiding places
• Unload and lock away firearms, and any other weapons
• Keep medications and chemicals safely out of reach of children
• If you have a pool, keep it locked down or fenced in when not in use

Local Numbers & Resources

• HCSO Non-Emergency -(713) 221-6000 -Option 6
• Eastex Freeway Volunteer Fire Dept – (281) 847-3300
• Statewide Animal Control -Contact Paul at 713-417-7920
• Report Street Light outages -(713) 207-2222
  • Be sure to capture the number on the pole before reporting
• Stay up to date with what’s going on in Fall Creek via www.fallcreeklife.com
• Utilize HCSO’s Vacation Watch Program when away for an extended time. Visit https://apps.harriscountyso.org/Programs/programs_VacationWatch.aspx or call (281) 446-9155 for more information.

If you would like to participate in the CWC or simply learn more about the Crime Watch Committee, please email fallcreekcrimewatch@qmail.com.

Photos graciously provided by resident, Paul Gregg.

The wait is over! Since breaking ground in December 2020, Harris County WCID 96 has worked tirelessly to bring you more amenities and activities. We are thrilled to announce that construction is now complete, and the expanded and improved Fall Creek Sports Complex is ready for you to enjoy. So, let’s party!

In conjunction with the last evening of Music in May, the WCID 96 Board of Directors is excited to invite you to the complex for a night of music, food, games, and fun. As er celebrate the reopening of this unique and beautiful park, the end of school, and Memorial Day all together. Join us and try out the new sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, ping pong tables, chess tables, and dog parks. Take a walk on the extended walking trails and visit the butterfly garden and bird watching stations at sunset to see the magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat. Parking spaces have been added to accommodate more guests.

In traditional Music in May style, please bring lawn chairs and blankets to relax and listen to the music.  See you there!

Photos graciously provided by resident, Paul Gregg.

Provided free of charge by Residential Recycling and Refuse of Texas.
(346) 248-5222

Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 96
Date: Saturday, September 25th, 2021
Location of Event: The Park at Fall Creek
7930 Fall Creek Bend, Humble, Texas 77396
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Items We Accept

• Personal computers
• ***TV’s ($25.00 disposal Fee)
• Keyboards, mouse, and speakers
• Cameras
• Switches & routers
• Cords & cables
• Game consoles
• Small kitchen appliances
• Computer monitors including: LCD, LED, Plasma Free (***CRT $10.00 disposal fee)
• Laptops
• Hard drives
• Car batteries
• Electrical Tools
• Memory chips & jump drives
• Hubs and routers
• Tape drives
• Electronic Toys
• Holiday electrical items
• Electronic novelty items
• Typewriters
• Printers, copiers, and plotters
• Fax machines
• PDAs
• Projectors
• Rechargeable batteries
• Telephones
• Cell phones

TV’s accepted – with fee of $25.00 each for disposal
CRT Monitors accepted – with fee of $10.00 each for disposal

Items Not Accepted

• CFL light bulbs
• Major appliances
• Paint
• Motor Oil
• Aerosol Containers
• Medical Waste
• Hazardous Waste (other than batteries)
• AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (the “USFWS”) has notified Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 96 (the “District”) that a bald eagle and eaglet are nesting within the boundaries of the Fall Creek Sports Complex (the “FCSC”). The eagle nest is located close to FCSC facilities including the baseball fields and the pavilion.

Pursuant to the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, the District is closing indefinitely the pavilion area, including the playground, and the baseball fields. The District is consulting with USFWS regarding best practices and activities that may be permitted in the vicinity of the nest. The District will reopen the closed sections of the FCSC once it is appropriate.

Boil Water Notice for HCWCID 96 Rescinded – 2/20/21