Author: FBMUD 118

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday mornings. Residents should closely monitor media and the National Weather Service for updates to the forecast. We wanted to assure you that the teams at Inframark are monitoring and working diligently in preparation for a freezing weather event to safeguard your facilities. It is also important that you take action as well in protecting the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People

• Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
• If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
• Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

• Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
• Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

• Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
• Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

• Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
• For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated:

• Forecasts: National Weather Service Houston-Galveston
• Winter Weather Safety: National Weather Service
• Local Road Conditions: Houston TranStar
• State Road Conditions: DriveTexas.org
• Space Heater Safety: National Fire Protection Association

Stay safe and stay warm.

Click here to read Inframark’s November newsletter on preparing for a hard freeze:

• Hard Freezes Matter
• What is a Hard Freeze?
• Facility Freeze Protection Audits
• How We Prepare
• Preparing Your Home for a Hard Freeze

The Public Utility Commission’s rule in Title 16, Chapter 24 Texas Admin. Code § 24.173(d) prohibits your water and sewer provider from imposing a late fee or from disconnecting your retail water or sewer service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency until after the emergency is over.

An extreme weather emergency is defined as a period beginning when the previous day’s highest temperature in your 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 your area. For the purposes of these requirements, an extreme weather emergency is over on the second business day the temperature exceed 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your water and sewer provider is required to offer a payment schedule to an affected customer that timely requests a payment schedule. If you are affected by an extreme weather emergency, you may request a payment schedule for unpaid bills that are due during the extreme weather emergency.

For affected customers that timely request a payment schedule, your water and sewer provider is prohibited from disconnecting service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency. However, once a payment schedule is offered, disconnections may resume if you (1) decline to timely accept the payment schedule, or (2) violate the terms of the payment schedule.

If you have a bill from your water and sewer provider due during an extreme weather emergency, then you qualify to request a payment schedule. Please contact EDP: An Inframark Company’s Customer Service at 832-467-1599.

Aviso Al Cliente Sobre Emergencia Por Condiciones Del Tiempo Extremas

La regla de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos en el Título 16, Capítulo 24, del Código Administrativo de Texas § 24.173(d) prohíbe a su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado imponer un cargo por mora o desconectar su servicio minorista de agua o alcantarillado por falta de pago de las facturas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas hasta después de que la emergencia haya terminado.

Una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas se define como un periodo que comienza cuando la temperatura más alta del día previo en su área no superó los 28 grados Fahrenheit y se prevé que la temperatura permanecerá en ese nivel o debajo de él durante las siguientes 24 horas según los informes más cercanos del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional para su área. A efectos de estos requisitos, una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas finaliza el segundo día laborable en que la temperatura supera los 28 grados Fahrenheit.

Su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado debe ofrecer un programa de pago a un cliente afectado que lo solicite oportunamente. Si se ve afectado por una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, puede solicitar un programa de pago para las facturas impagas adeudadas durante la emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas.

Para los clientes afectados que soliciten oportunamente un programa de pago, su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado tiene prohibido desconectar el servicio por falta de pago de las facturas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas. Sin embargo, una vez que se ofrece un programa de pago, las desconexiones pueden reanudarse si usted (1) se niega a aceptar oportunamente el programa de pago, o (2) viola los términos del programa de pago.

Si tiene una factura de su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado adeudada durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, entonces tiene derecho a solicitar un programa de pago. Póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina en: EDP: An Inframark Company 832-467-1599.