Weston Lakes residents are being asked to voluntarily conserve water not because of the ongoing drought, but because one of the water wells serving the community is damaged and needs to be replaced.
WATER WELL PROBLEMS – Fort Bend County MUD 81 President William DuBois briefs the Weston Lakes City Council on the district’s plans to replace a damaged water well. Until the new well is drilled, the MUD is asking residents to take voluntary conservation measures.
Fort Bend County MUD 81 President William DuBois briefed the Weston Lakes City Council on the situation during the council’s Tuesday meeting.
DuBois said a broken casing was the culprit, resulting in the well pumping sand into the drinking water system.
Repairs, he said, were not possible.
“There was no opportunity to repair the casing, so we’re left with replacing that water well,” DuBois told the council.
He also said the project will not be as simple as drilling a new well at the same location. DuBois said the MUD was forced to use its power of eminent domain and purchase a lot on which to drill the new well.
The MUD president also said the district will have to issue $4.4 million in new bonds to pay for the project. He expects the sale to take place at the end of 2011 or early in 2012.
Still, DuBois said, the additional debt will not affect the district taxes because payments on the new bonds will begin at the same time the district completes paying off existing bonds.
“We will not raise the tax rate,” DuBois said. “It will not go up at all.”
While Weston Lakes’ current water needs are being met by a second water well, DuBois cautioned residents to do what they can to conserve water until the new will is on-line.
“We’re slightly less capable this summer. We urge you to conserve,” he said.
The MUD is under “mild drought” conditions and voluntary conservation measures are being asked from all residents.
No mandatory water restrictions are currently in place.
