Author: FBMUD 128

Fort Bend MUD 128 – “Flushable Wipes” Are Not Flushable!

Disposable items labeled as “flushable” such as “flushable wipes”, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, and/or paper towels cannot be flushed down the toilet safely. When these items are flushed down toilets into the sanitary sewer system, they contribute to many sewer blockages in the wastewater infrastructure. This leads to frequent and expensive repairs, which ultimately raise water bills for district residents.

Branded companies will lead a person to believe numerous items are flushable, particularly stating so on the packaging. Wet wipes or flushable wipes claiming “safe for flushing” can still cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing even before reaching the District facilities. Once beyond your home’s plumbing, wipes and paper towels can get caught in lift stations and solid waste grinders intended to break down large waste and push it to the wastewater treatment plant.

Should the wipes make it to the sewage treatment plant, the facilities could be overworked trying to process solid waste that does not break down in transit or at lift stations. The result of flushing these products could mean major wastewater treatment issues and impacts to the machinery processing inbound waste. The accumulation of these “flushable items” hinders the productivity of the plant result in a cost for removal and machinery repairs ranging into thousands of dollars to the District, cost which is ultimately funded by taxpayers. By flushing any products other than toilet paper, we can not only create inconveniences in services but also incur very costly repairs.

Please avoid flushing wipes and other non-biodegradable items such as tissues, paper towels, or “flushable wipes”. If you do decide to use these products, consider throwing them in the trash or taking them to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility in your area. By following these recommendations, residents can help minimize the cost and environmental impact of clogged sewer systems.

Below, please review the video produced by the Association of Water Board Directors (AWBD) here in Texas, which addresses this very topic:

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FBMUD 128 – Spring Break Vacation Watch

Spring Break is a prime time for vacations. Unfortunately, it is also a prime time for residential burglaries. This is due to lawbreakers preying on traveling families and homes that seem to be empty for extended periods of time.

Set up a Vacation Watch with Fort Bend Constable office so they can monitor your home while you are out of town.

The link provided below will guide you through the set-up process:

https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/constables/constable-precinct-4/patrol-division/vacation-watch-program

Notification of Free-chlorine Conversion for PWS 0790005

February 23, 2024

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Water Supply Division
P.O. Box 13087 MC-155
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Public Drinking Water staff,

The City of Sugar Land public water system, (PWS) ID 0790005, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the water treatment process from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on March 26, 2024 and continue till April 23, 2024.

Please see below for name, title, and phone of PWS contact.

The City of Sugar Land water system, PWS 0790005, supplies treated water to Fort Bend County MUD 128, PWS 0790498.

The City of Sugar Land has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine to control nitrification and protect the City of Sugar Land’s long term drinking water quality.

Sincerely,

John Bailey
Surface Water Plant Manager
City of Sugar Land
281-275-2002

Protecting Our Waterways: How Fort Bend MUD 128 Residents Can Combat Stormwater Pollution

Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 128 (FB MUD 128) wants residents to understand how stormwater runoff can carry harmful chemicals and substances into the environment and infrastructure and how residents can help protect the environment from its harmful effects.

Stormwater runoff is rainwater or melted snow that flows over land or impervious surfaces and is directed via development infrastructure to deposit into storm drains, drainage ditches, and/or directly into local waterways.

It can become harmful to the environment and District infrastructure when pollutants such as oil, grease, fertilizers, motor oil, detergents, trash, and other debris are introduced to the storm water system.

Common contaminants picked up by stormwater when passing through resident yards and structures include lawn clippings, leaves, pet waste, and/or household chemicals.

Blowing, sweeping, or disposing of grass clippings down the storm drain can be a violation of the District’s rate order and the federal Clean Water Act.

Residents can help protect the local environment and infrastructure downstream from the harmful effects of contaminates entering stormwater runoff by ensuring that storm drains are free from debris and pollutants.

If residents notice a blocked storm drain or see someone dumping pollutants near a storm drain, they should immediately contact their District operator, Si Environmental.

Watch this informational video produced by the Association of Water Board Directors to learn more: