CROSBY – As the San Jacinto River Authority is coming under criticism for setting prices higher for raw water both Newport Municipal Utility District (MUD) and Crosby Municipal Utility District (MUD) are facing issues related to supplying clean, inexpensive water.
According to Bloomberg Law, a pair of Texas Utility companies have alleged that San Jacinto River Authority violated the Sherman 1890 Antitrust Act after the Authority increased the price of wholesale raw water. San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) was established in the 1930s to manage the water resources of the San Jacinto Basin. The suit accuses SJRA of fixing prices and monopolizing. This all came after the announcement that the River Authority would raise rates related to changes in the under groundwater rates ( aquifer) conservation rules established by the Lone Star Ground Water Conservation District in 2006.
Districts must move much more to surface water according to subsidence laws.
At a meeting last Friday, the Board of Newport MUD voted to increase the water bill by $35 following the residents voting down a $70,000,000 bond last election day.
Crosby MUD board has passed a $3.25 Million dollar bond to be done December 1 and due August 2039.
As previously reported, Newport asked residents to approve a $70 Million dollar bond based on the need for new water and sewer treatment facilities, 100% reimbursement of developers’ installation of water and sewer lines, and numerous other projects including replacement of pipes. The board never understandably answered how much more residents would pay if the bond was passed. An on paper estimate of the to-be-built water and sewer system was about $18 Million but a verbal answer was nearly $40 Million.
Projecting estimates for 2025, the board has approved builders such that the water production facility must be expanded to accommodate the new residence, move to surface water, fix worn out stuff and pay back developers putting in new taps.
Critics of the bond such as Don Cox indicate that the board should call for bonds in smaller bites.