Harris County MUD 222 - Upcoming Water Supply Conversion: What Residents Need to Know

Harris County MUD 222 residents will begin receiving treated surface water instead of groundwater on or soon after October 15, 2025.

This conversion, managed by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA), is part of a long-term plan to ensure reliable and sustainable water for our community. Please check MUD 222’s website for more information and an updated schedule of conversion: www.mud222.orgwww.mud222.org

We want residents to clearly understand:

- Why is this happening?

- What changes you may notice?

- How MUD 222 is ensuring continued reliability?

- Where to find trusted resources?

Why the Change?

• Preventing subsidence: Excessive groundwater pumping has caused parts of Houston and Galveston to sink by as much as 9 feet since 1906, damaging infrastructure and increasing flood risks.

• Providing sufficient total water supply for the growth of the Houston region, whose population has grown from 1.8 million in 1970 to approximately 7 million today.

Groundwater supply alone is insufficient to provide for existing and future growth.

• Role of Subsidence Districts: The Harris–Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) was formed in 1975 to regulate groundwater use and prevent further sinking.

Learn more: www.hgsubsidence.org/about/history/hgsubsidence.org/about/history/

• The Harris–Galveston Subsidence District requires all MUDs and public water systems to convert to mostly surface water per its Regulatory Plan.

Learn more: www.hgsubsidence.org/planning/regulatory-plan/www.hgsubsidence.org/planning/regulatory-plan/hgsubsidence.org/planning/regulatory-plan/

• The North Harris County Regional Water Supply District (NHCRWA) was created in 1999 to prepare and implement a phased Groundwater Reduction Plan to meet HGSD’ s phased surface water conversion requirements.

Learn more: www.nhcrwa.com/about/www.nhcrwa.com/about/

What Can Residents Expect?

1. Drinking Water Safety

a. Your drinking water will remain safe, clean, and reliable. It is treated and tested to meet all US Environmental Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Drinking Water Standards.

Learn more: www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/drinking_wq.htmlwww.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/drinking_wq.html

2. Disinfectant Change: Chlorine → Chloramine

a. The ground water in MUD 222 has been disinfected using chlorine but with surface water we will switch to using chloramine (monochloramine)

b. Chloramine lasts longer in the system and produces fewer regulated disinfection by-products.

Learn more: www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking-waterwww.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking-water

c. See below for special considerations for dialysis machines and fish and aquatic animal tanks.

3. Water Taste

a. You may notice a difference in taste from MUD 222’s well water. Surface water tastes can vary from location to location just like well water tastes can vary from location to location.

b. The water you receive in your home will continue to be safe to drink from the tap. If desired, some residents may want to use an activated carbon filter such as those most refrigerators now have or those installed under sinks or for the whole house which should remove differences in tastes.

4. Water Hardness and Color

a. The NHCRWA surface water will be “softer” (less hardness) than the current MUD 222 well water. Softer water will tend to produce fewer water spots on shower glass and less lime scale in pipes and water heaters.

b. The softer water could dissolve some existing lime scale in the water pipes that serve our homes. Since lime scale may include iron, and the iron may initially appear as a slight orange tint. This is expected to go away after a few weeks and is not harmful to humans or animals.

c. In the initial transition to surface water, MUD 222’s operator will be flushing the MUD 222 water mains on a more frequent basis to remove this discoloration. In your own home, you may want to also flush out your pipes by briefly running all the faucets in the house if an orange tint is present, including water lines to your washing machine.

5. Backup Water Supply

a. MUD 222 will continue to maintain our neighborhood groundwater well so it is always available to supplement the water provided by NHCRWA.

b. In case of disruption in the regional supply, MUD 222 can immediately switch back to using our well to ensure uninterrupted service.

c. Special Considerations. For most residents, no action is required:

Fish Owners & Aquatic Animal Aquariums:

• Chloramine can harm fish and amphibians if not removed. Note that traditional chlorine removal tablets are not enough to remove chloramine.

• Please research to determine the best method for your fish tank. Use products specifically designed to neutralize chloramine.

• Here are some articles that may provide more details:

Dialysis Patients:

• Dialysis systems must remove chloramine before use. Dialysis centers are aware of this and adjust treatment accordingly.

• Those using a home dialysis machine should consult their doctor or equipment supplier.

• All healthcare facilities in MUD 222 are aware of this change and have taken necessary steps to maintain safe operating conditions.

• Guidance: www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/about-water-disinfection-withchlorine-and-chloramine.html#specialwww.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/about-water-disinfection-withchlorine-and-chloramine.html#special

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Who provides our water service and billing?

Water and sewer services, along with billing, will continue to be managed by MUD 222’s operator

Municipal Operations: www.municipalops.communicipalops.com

• Will my rates change?

MUD 222 pays the NHCRWA for its use of groundwater and for the purchase of surface water.

Based on current NHCRWA rates, the MUD 222 Board does not expect to modify water rates to our customers.

Future NHCRWA rate increases could lead to increases in your water rates.

• Who oversees MUD 222?

The MUD 222 Board of Directors is made up of residents who live in Wortham Villages and Wortham Grove. We are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and economical water supply for all our neighbors. Visit our website at www.mud222.orgwww.mud222.org for more information or to send a message.

• How do I stay informed?

Sign up for alerts at www.mud222.org/alertsmud222.org/alerts and please encourage your neighbors to do the same. www.mud222.org/alertsmud222.org/alerts

These short alerts are only sent from the Board when important and urgent information needs to be communicated and will typically direct residents to visit the MUD 222’s web site which provides more information concerning the alert. In addition, the web site provides general information, contact information, and maps of the District.

There will be a community-wide townhall meeting for all the districts in our area to be held on September 18 at 6:30pm at Cypress Methodist Church.

Visit www.harriscountyfwsd61.orgwww.harriscountyfwsd61.org for more details and directions.

TCEQ Notice of Chloramine Conversion 10-15-2025Public notification of Chloromine Conversion