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.

Shady Hollow residents welcome back to the Municipal Utility District (MUD). There have been questions about billing and setting up accounts.

Shady Hollow MUD received your billing and contact information from the City of Austin during the transfer so you will not need to setup a new account. If you were a previous MUD customer, you will be issued your previous account number. If you moved into Shady Hollow after April 2018, a new account number will be issued.

Online payment through the Payclix account will be permissible after you receive your first bill. You can complete the process as described on http://www.shmud.org/water/.

Shady Hollow MUD does not have a local office so bills will need to be mailed or paid online. Payments will not be accepted at the Shady Hollow HOA drop box or office.

If any more questions, utilize the contact form at http://www.shmud.org/contact/. You can also reach out to us at

Why?

Using water more efficiently will not only save money but, more importantly, will also help protect the quality of life of future Texans.

With the vastness of Texas, it’s easy to forget two important facts about our state: we are subject to frequent droughts, and our population is projected to double in the next 50 years. The cost of developing new or additional supplies in that same time period is estimated to be $30.7 billion.

To ensure that we have enough water for current and future Texans, we need to reduce the amount of water we waste.

Possible Water Savings

• High-efficiency toilets, water-efficient washing machines, rainwater harvesting systems, and water-efficient landscaping can all help reduce water use.
• A low-flush toilet (or low-flow toilet or high efficiency toilet) is a flush toilet that uses significantly less water than a full-flush toilet. Low flush toilets include single-flush models and dual-flush toilets, which typically use 1.6 US gallons per flush for the full flush and 1.28 US gallons for a reduced flush.
• Water-efficient showerheads and aerators for faucets can significantly reduce the amount of water you use. In fact, installing a water-efficient showerhead is one of the most effective water-saving steps you can take inside your house.
• Leaking faucets and toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water monthly, and they are inexpensive to fix. A few small changes in your water use habits can make a huge difference in water savings.

Tips in the Bathroom

• Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• Take short showers.
• Turn off the water while you are shaving. Fill the sink with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.
• Never use the toilet to dispose of trash.
• Don’t waste water when brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Shut off the water until it’s time to rinse.

Tips in the Kitchen

• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• Install faucet aerators. You’ll never notice the difference, and you’ll cut your sink water consumption in half!
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator. It will be refreshingly cool and won’t waste water.
• Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing. Your dishwasher will take care of the rest.
• Use garbage disposals sparingly. They can waste water unnecessarily.

• Conventional washing machines use 32 to 59 gallons of water per load. Use the lowest water level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads whenever possible.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and conserve hot water for uses that cold water cannot serve.