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Boil Water Notice Still in Effect

Dear Residents,

☆WE NEED EVERYBODY’S HELP TO PROPERLY AND QUICKLY RESTORE OUR PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM☆

The water plants are still over pumping the average pumping numbers, which means there are still many water leaks within the district. If you see any water leaks, please help stop the bleeding and turn off the valve at the meter box. If there is no way possible to turn it off, please call 979-245-0245 and we will get there as soon as possible.

We have had multiple water line breaks that we have repaired underground in very dangerous conditions and with very limited resources. However, we have been successful in making these repairs. Until pumping averages are close to normal, we will draw our monitoring bacterial samples for testing, and when passed, we can finally lift the boil water notice. These water leaks can cause back siphoning issues into the water mains, siphoning contaminated water from the creek, canals, and ground floodwaters.

The Sewer Plant has been restored and now has both Jackson Electric Power and Emergency Power. The propane tank, which fuels the generator, has been restored. With the help of TCEQ, the Texas Railroad Commission, and Jackson Electric, this has been repaired very quickly despite very limited resources. The propane tank and lines have been pressure tested, and the wastewater plant’s motor and pumps are working. The treatment of water is okay, although the saltwater and groundwater intrusion is causing the needed micro-mass to struggle to survive.

We are now draining the vacuum sewer mains that are severely flooded, a process that is very time-consuming. All three vacuum stations are still in the process of draining. Once completed, we will work street by street to drain all vacuum collection pits (manhole lids by roads and ditches). Please remove and uncover any piles of debris that may be on top of these manholes so we can repair any vacuum valves. If we cannot get to these valves, this will cause major delays to everybody’s sewer collection. Please help!

MY STAFF IS VERY, VERY EXHAUSTED. Please respect them and be patient. This includes myself. Yesterday, we had only six out of twelve field personnel available. Two of our employees have completely lost their homes, and one has started radiation treatment for chemotherapy. Despite these challenges, we are working very, very hard to restore both our public water and wastewater systems as quickly and safely as possible.

IF YOU HEAR AIR FROM ANY COLLECTION PITS, AIR INTAKES (CANDY CANES), OR BROWN AIR TERMINAL MONUMENTS, PLEASE CALL US AT 979-245-0245 SO WE CAN REPAIR THE COLLECTION PIT ASAP.

YOUR HELP WILL HELP US DRAIN YOUR SEWER LINES FASTER.

As of now, my best estimate for complete restoration is one week, but this depends on unforeseen issues.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely, Donald Fox
Chief Water Operator

Boil Water Notice (PDF)

Due to Hurricane Beryl affecting water production, broken service lines, and causing system PSI to fall below 20 PSI, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Caney Creek Municipal Utility District public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Donald Fox, Caney Creek MUD at (979) 245-0245. CCMUD office is located at 405 County Road 298, Sargent, Tx 77414.

Boil Water Notice (PDF)

Due to Hurricane Beryl, broken water service lines, and pressure lower than 20 psi, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the WCID2 of Matagorda County (1610016) public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Donald Fox, Chief Operator at (979) 245-0245.

Residents of Caney Creek MUD have been notified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that their drinking water has exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).

This notice highlights the health risks associated with TTHMs and outlines the proposed solutions.

For detailed information, please read the full TTHM Violation Letter.

Please note that Early Voting polling places are subject to change.
Adviértase que los lugares de votación anticipada están sujetos a cambio.

Early Voting

April 22, 2024 through April 30, 2024 (weekdays only)
Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Votación Anticipada

22 de abril de 2024 hasta el 30 de abril de 2024 (solo de lunes a viernes)
Horario: 8:00 am a 5:00 pm

Early Voting Locations:
Lugaras de votació temprana::

1. Bay City Service Center (main location)
   2105 Avenue M, Bay City, TX 77414
2. Matagorda County Navigation District #1
   1602 Main Street, Palacios, TX 77465

To try and help answer some questions about the Customer Service Inspections (CSI) letters that were recently sent out to some customers by Caney Creek MUD, before continuous water service is established for a new construction, Texas law requires an inspection of the private water-distribution system, to help ensure that the water is safe to drink.  This type of “customer service inspection” is required in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Subsection 290.46(j)

The purpose of a customer service inspection is to identify the presence of potential sources of contamination or illegal lead plumbing materials.

Customer Service Inspections MUST occur in the following situations:

• When there is new construction.
• When there is plumbing work that requires a permit and involves a major modification (i.e., a material improvement, correction, or addition) to the private water distribution system. The “private water system” refers to the facilities on the owner’s side of the meter.
• When certain household modifications are being made that do not require a permit but that nevertheless require a customer service inspection. Examples of these kinds of modifications include the remodeling or expansion of plumbing or water-using devices.
• When the District believes that a cross-connection or other potential contamination hazard exists. In such a case, the District must provide written justification to the customer for requiring an inspection by specifically identifying the threat that is believed to exist.

Under Texas law-30 TAC 290.46(j)-a customer service inspection is required for each connection before continuous water service can be provided.

Inspectors certify there are no cross-connections, which are actual or potential connections between a potable and non-potable water supply, and no lead in the pipes and solder. Here are examples of cross-connections:

• Direct or indirect connections (example private well)
• Connections that allow water that is used for condensing, cooling, or industrial processes to flow back to the public water system. In this context, an “industrial process” is defined as any used other than domestic consumption.
• Potential contaminations hazards:
  Lawn Irrigation
  Swimming Pools
  Water Supplied to Docks or Piers

Here are two examples of prohibited lead plumbing materials:

• For plumbing that was installed on or after July 1^st, 1988, and prior to January 4^th, 2014, pipe or pipe fitting that contains more than 8.0% lead.
• For plumbing that was installed on or after January 14^th, 2014, pipes or pipe fittings that contain more than 0.25% lead or solders and flux that contain more than 0.2% lead.

Customers service inspections may be performed only by the following licensed professionals:

• Plumbing inspectors and water supply protection specialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
• Customer service inspectors licensed by the TCEQ.

The District has options for providing customer service inspections:

• Provide licensed employees to perform the inspections.
• Or advise the customer to hire independent, qualified licensed contractors of their choice to perform the inspections.

A “cross connection” is the point at which a contaminated substance comes in contact with the drinking water system.  In checking for such cross-connections, the customer service inspector will also have determined if there is a need for a “backflow prevention assembly.”

The term “backflow” refers to any unwanted flow of used or non-potable water or substance from a domestic, industrial, or institutional piping system into the water distribution system.  One of the ways to prevent backflow from occurring at the point of a cross-connection is to install a backflow prevention assembly.

State approved plumbing codes, as well as most local plumbing ordinances require “pressure vacuum breakers” on exterior faucets of new dwellings.  These devices are required for existing dwellings.

However, if a cross-connection is found at an existing dwelling, an “air-gap separation” or a backflow prevention device, such as a pressure vacuum breaker, is required. The type of device will be determined by the degree of hazard posed by the cross-connection.

Any questions about CSI’s can be made by contacting us at the office 979-245-0245, or by email at caneycreekmud@yahoo.com. Customers may also find information on CSI’s on the TCEQ website at www.tceq.texas.gov.

Paige Austin-Barrera

Office Manager

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has notified the CANEY CREEK MUD OF MATAGORDA COUNTY water system that the drinking water being supplied to customers had exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes.

Some people who drink the water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidney, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

You do not need to use an alternative water supply. However if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you.

Please refer to the full report.

Notice to All District Customers:

The district will be strictly enforcing all sewer connections guidelines in order to prevent costly future and higher sewer fees during the heavy raining and flooding events, per sewer agreement rules and regulations.

Referencing: Section 4 and 14A Exhibit Dl.07, 1.08, 1.10 and 3.09.

Under No Circumstances may groundwater or rainwater be discharged into the Caney Creek MUD’s Sanitary System.

Cleanout access shall not be covered underground, or any yard debris covering cleanout and shall be maintained in a matter which will prevent entry of ground/rainwater. All RV and Tiny Houses connections must be a threaded RV Adapter/Coupler (If not hard plumbed in) on all clean outs. All cleanouts must be closed with a threaded cap when not in service. Air Intakes (Candy Canes) also must be maintained at a minimum of 18″ or above natural ground level or higher depending on normal flood level. Candy Canes shall not be loose and must be maintained.

If property is found during rain or flooding event without a cleanout cap and/or broken adapter, there will be an additional $125.00 Emergency fee added to your account. If cleanout and/or air intake (candy cane) is not able to be plugged during rain/flood event, then the sewer and water service will be terminated. A reconnect fee of $300.00 will be added to your account and service will be restored after CCMUD inspects all repairs before covering.

In regular dryer days same rules apply, however a 10-day disconnection notice will be given by certified mail, to avoid interruption to your water/sewer service. It is up to the customer to have their files updated with proper addresses and phone numbers at CCMUDS office so CCMUD can directly communicate termination notice.

This is a “0” tolerance excuse, “never received a notice” policy. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office, (979) 245-0245.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Paige Austin
Office Manager
CC: Kand as Graham, President of the Board
CC: Donald Fox, Chief Operator

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Caney Creek MUD. May peace, love and prosperity follow everyone always. Our office will close at 12:00 p.m. on Friday December 22, 2023, for our employee Christmas party, and remain closed Monday 12/25/2023 and Tuesday 12/26/2023. We will reopen at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday 12/27/2023.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OUR AFTER-HOUR NUMBER IS: 979-943-6914

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has notified the CANEY CREEK MUD OF MATAGORDA COUNTY water system that the drinking water being supplied to customers had exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established the MCL for total trihalomethanes at 0.080 milligrams per liter (mg/L) based on a running annual average (LRAA), and has determined that it is a health concern at levels above the MCL. Analysis of drinking water in your community for total trihalomethanes indicates a compliance value in quarter three 2023 of 0.16 mg/L for DBP2-01.

Trihalomethanes are a group of volatile organic compounds that are formed when chlorine, added to the water during the treatment process for disinfection, reacts with naturally-occurring organic matter in the water.

Some people who drink the water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidney, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

You do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you.

To remedy the TTHM issue Caney Creek MUD is reviewing a proposed Granular Activated Carbon Absorption System as recommended by their engineering consultants, WGA. The district is also working on financing options for this and other necessary projects to maintain a fully operational system.

Please share this information with all the people who may not have received this notice directly (i.e. people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have any questions regarding this matter you may contact Caney Creek Municipal Utility District at 979-245-0245.