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

Shady Hollow MUD residents, it is time to prepare for colder temperatures! There is a Freeze Watch in effect for Saturday night through Tuesday morning, February 13th – February 16, 2021. Temperatures are expected to drop to freezing levels overnight.

How can District residents prepare? Practice the “Four P’s” as the cold fronts set in:

People:

• Dress in warm clothing, wear coats and gloves when outdoors.
• Protect children and the elderly. Never leave them in a cold place or vehicle.
• Temperatures are predicted to be in the teens Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Pets:

• Bring your pets indoors.
• Provide a warm, safe place for them to eat and sleep.

Pipes:

• Prevent frozen pipes and damage to your home by opening the cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warm air to circulate and warm the pipes.
• Insulate outdoor faucets and exposed pipes and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.

Plants:

• Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
• Hydrate plants early so they can absorb and stay healthy through the cold.

Additionally, there are a few vehicle-safety tips to observe during winter weather:

• Keep your gas tank full.
• Have tire pressure checked.
• Have a phone charger, first aid kit, blankets, and jumper cables in your car.

Lastly, Fire Departments have provided some safety tips surrounding space heaters and other supplemental heating sources during the colder days:

• Never leave a space heater unattended or a child unattended with a space heater.
• Keep all combustible materials (including yourself!) at least three (3) feet away from the heater.
• Never overload outlets or breakers.
• Do not use extension cords for the heater.
• Always turn it off if leaving the room and/or going to sleep.