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