Home : Brushy Creek News


12/10/2024 - Extreme Weather Emergencies Rule

Important Information That Will Benefit You and Your Family in the Event of Extreme Weather.

The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District appreciates our residents for making this District a wonderful place to live, play, and work. Our goal is to have our residents live "The Brushy Creek Life." The District abides and agrees to the new rules and regulations that the Public Utility Commission of Texas recently put out. The changes to the rules apply to non-municipal public water and sewer utilities (including Brushy Creek MUD) in the event of extreme weather. Please read the changes that the PUCT of Texas has in place in a recent media press release.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) today adopted rules prohibiting non-municipal public water and sewer utilities from disconnecting customers during extreme cold weather emergencies. The new rules mean those utilities cannot disconnect service or issue late fees for nonpayment of bills due during such emergencies, including for bills previously due.

“The new rules put the health and safety of Texans first during extreme cold weather emergencies,” said PUCT Chairman Peter Lake. “This means Texans can focus on their family’s safety during extreme cold and work with their water or sewer utility to make sure they pay their bills in a timely fashion.” By rule, extreme cold weather emergencies are periods beginning when the previous day’s highest temperature in an area did not exceed 28 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature is predicted to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the nearest National Weather Service reports for that area. For purposes of these rules, an extreme weather emergency ends on the second business day the temperature exceeds 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Under the new rules, affected customers have a 30-day window to request a payment plan. If a customer makes a request within those 30 days, the service provider must offer them a payment plan. All non-municipal water and sewer utilities are required to notify their customers of these new rules by January 31, 2023.

The new rules are required under Senate Bill 3, passed by the 87th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Brushy Creek strives to keep our residents updated and informed with information that is beneficial to how they live the Brushy Creek Life. The District stands by the quote from PUCT Chairman Lake. We want you to focus on your family's safety during extreme weather; we will work with our residents on billing payments in a timely fashion. 

 

News Archives