Drip, Drip, Drip…Let’s Talk Leaks!

Guess what! National Fix A Leak Week is March 14-20th and we want to be sure you have the best resources to keep you informed of the little problems caused by water leaks. Awareness of what to look for and knowledge of how to fix any leak issues can go a long way in prevention and saving money. Leaks can run, but they can’t hide!



Did you know that simple faucet leaks amount to approximately 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year? That’s huge! And so easily preventable! Not to mention, leaks are costly. Taking time each year to perform a preventative check, can help keep your check book in order.
When you are on the hunt for possible leaks, it is important to start with the data… Begin with your water bill, check your meter, and test your toilets. These will give you some clue as to the prevalence of a water leak in your home.

The EPA recommends the following checklist for tracking down a leak! Here are some of the best-known hiding places to start. Keep your ears open!

• Bathroom

  • Toilets
  • Faucets
  • Showerheads
  • Under the sink
  • Don’t forget the tub!

• Laundry Room

  • Check all of your hook-ups!
  • Look for pooling in the washer itself (it could indicate a source leak)

• Kitchen

  • Check all appliances, such as the dishwasher and fridge. Many times, there are leaks behind them.

• Basement and Garage

  • Sinks
  • Exposed pipes
  • Water Heaters

• Outside

  • Spigots
  • Irrigation controls and sprinkler heads

Customers in your October water bill from Shady Hollow MUD the penalty date is incorrect, the correct date is 11-2-2021. We apologize for the confusion and billing errors for this month’s billing cycle.

If you have questions please call 512-280-6622

Customers if you received an e-bill for shmud6 , please disregard bill with a late fee these were in error the corrected bill has been sent.
If you have questions please call 512-280-6622.

Shady Hollow MUD is considering changing the way customers are charged for their wastewater services from a flat rate method to a winter averaging method. No changes are planned for the immediate future, but the MUD will be collecting data this winter to use in deciding whether a change in the current billing method would benefit the MUD’s customers.

Currently the MUD’s customers are charged flat monthly rates for wastewater: $82.41 for customers in the District and $94.77 for customers outside the District. These rates are constant from month to month and are the same for every customer in the same rate class. Shady Hollow MUD has billed this way since it was created in 1980.

While Shady Hollow MUD is not the only utility to use this flat rate method, most utilities determine charges for wastewater service using a method commonly referred to as winter averaging. In this method, the average water use during the winter months is used to determine wastewater charges for the upcoming year. Usually, December, January and February are used because outdoor water use is minimal during those months so the water used gives the best estimate of how much is actually entering the sewer. It is thought that this billing is fairer to small households and encourages water conservation.

After the water use data from this winter is available, the MUD’s rate consultant will be asked to develop rates that will generate the revenue needed to provide wastewater service. The MUD Board will then consider making changes in the current method. This will likely happen in May – June of 2022.

Citizens are welcome to submit any comments or concerns regarding this on the MUD’s website at shmud.org/contact.

On May 1st, 2021, the Shady Hollow Municipal Utility District (SHMUD) will hold an election to allow for an increase of the cap on the Operation & Maintenance Tax (O&M).

An increase in the tax cap from 5 cents to 11 cents does not mean SHMUD will adopt a tax rate of 11 cents; it is simply the maximum tax rate that the Board could adopt, if needed. The Board of SHMUD reviews and adopts its tax rate each year in September after adopting a budget sufficient to meet the needs of SHMUD. The Board anticipates that if the tax rate does increase to sufficiently cover the District’s current O&M costs, as its coffers are replenished, the tax may be be lowered in later years.

As you are aware, the proposed annexation of Shady Hollow by the City of Austin was prevented. As a result, SHMUD has returned to providing water and wastewater service to the residents of SHMUD as of March 27, 2021.

SHMUD spent down its cash reserves so that the City of Austin would not receive a windfall from the capture of the accumulated reserves upon annexation. The SHMUD is presently cash poor because of this defensive action. SHMUD must now rebuild these cash reserves for repairs, emergencies and the everyday operation of its water and wastewater facilities.
Repairs to the water and wastewater system occur regularly yet unexpectedly. A break in a line to an individual home can cost more than $4,000 per incident. A lift station failure can cost between $25,000 and $100,000 and SHMUD operates 5 of these lift stations to move wastewater through the system.

Election Day is Saturday, May 1st. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Early voting begins Monday, April 19th and ends on Tuesday, April 27th. Travis County’s Election Web Page provides times and locations for early voting. Travis County has authorized countywide voting on Election Day, which means that voters can vote at any election location provided by Travis County on Election Day. A link to Travis County’s Election Web Page can be found on the SHMUD website.

BOIL WATER NOTICE – Feb. 17, 2021

Austin Water is asking customers in southwest Austin and Lost Creek neighborhood to boil their water prior to using it for drinking or cooking, until further notice. The boil water notice is required because water pressure in portions of the water distribution system dropped below minimum standards.

Maps of the affected areas can be found below:

• Map 1 – Lost Creek Area
• Map 2 – South West Austin Neighborhoods

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Austin Water issue boil water notices?

As a precaution during line repair, Austin Water can request that customers boil their water or use bottled water until water sample lab test results become available.

What is a boil water notice?

A boil water notice is a public statement advising people to boil their tap water before using it, typically in response to an event that has (or could have) introduced contaminants into the water distribution system. Such events include a large water main break, widespread loss of system pressure, or results of routine sample testing in the system. Although waterborne diseases are extremely rare, they can be serious. The risk is higher for infants, the elderly and persons with immune deficiency disorders. Austin Water issues boil-water notices even if the possibility of contamination is remote to safeguard the health of the community.

What do I need to do to make sure my water is safe to drink and use?

You should boil tap water vigorously for at least two minutes prior to using it for drinking or cooking (the minute starts when the water begins to bubble). This includes water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing raw foods, preparation of drinks and water for pets. Wait for the water to cool before using it or store it in the refrigerator in a clean container. Boiling removes harmful bacteria in the water that may cause illness. You should throw away ice made during the time the advisory or notice was issued, as freezing does not kill bacteria.

Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?

The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry. The water is also safe for bathing during an advisory or notice; if the water is contaminated by a chemical that will cause harm on contact, Austin Water will issue a Do Not Use Notice, meaning the water should not be used for bathing.

How do I prepare food and baby formula?

Use boiled or bottled water only for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, making baby formula, bathing and cleaning.

Breast feed your baby or use ready-made formula. If you must use water to make formula, use bottled water. If you don’t have bottled water, use water that has been rapidly boiled for at least two (2) minutes.

What about my pets?

You should follow the same boiling water procedures for your pet as you would for yourself.

How long will the need to boil water continue?

Public notification will be given when a boil water notice or order is lifted. Typically the need to boil water lasts for 24 to 48 hours, but can be longer and may last for several days or more. How long will depend on the conditions that caused the need to boil, how quickly the conditions are corrected, and how long it takes for laboratory results to confirm it is safe to return to normal water use. Austin Water will provide updates on the progress of corrective actions and how long the event is expected to last.

What do I need to do when the notice has been lifted?

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice. After an advisory or notice has been lifted (if water contamination did occur), you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure that no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow the following guidelines for flushing:

• Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute
• To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle