Excerpts From Operator’s Report

PGMUD Total Metered Water: 51,455,000 gallons

Amount Produced: 59,304,000 gallons

Adjusted Accountability: 87.1%

Sidewalk Improvements From Previous Month

• 1806 Pilgrim Journey

Tree Removal

I am requesting authorization to remove a group of District owned trees along the property line of 902 Bent Creek Ct for an estimated cost of $5,200.00. The homeowner would like to replace their fence, but the trees have grown into the property line, preventing the work from being done. At the meeting the board approved this request.

Meter Replacement

We continue to replace meters as they approach the one and one half million gallon mark as well as hard to read and stuck meters. There is a total of 4,962 meters replaced to date, with 3 meter(s) replaced this month.

Message Language on Next Water Bill

The customer service office will be closed and there will be no garbage pick-up or recycling on Labor Day, September 7th. Normal pick-up will resume on September 10th.

If you have an outside leak or sewer problem, call us before calling a plumber. We are here to help 24/7.

Operation of the Parks

1. Due to COVID-19, T&S completed additional cleaning as per the approval of the board for the month of July.
2. Termite treatment was completed at Windmill Park.
3. Mosquito treatment was completed at Pecan Grove Park & the Levee.

Action Item Request & Updates

I was authorized last month to make repairs to irrigation at Windmill Park. This has been completed.

The board discussed whether the park recently acquired from the Pecan Grove POA should continue to be called “Windmill Park.” It was decided to ask the parks committee to study the question of name and what additional facilities should be built. The public therefore has an opportunity to suggest names and improvements for the park. One easy way to accomplish this  is to go to www.pecangrovemud.com and on the menu line select “contact.” Scroll down and find the contact form. You can send your suggestion to individual directors or the entire board.

Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department Update

Fire chief Joe Woolley reported that according to Fort Bend County there are 36 active COVID-19 cases in the PGVFD coverage area: Pecan Grove, Waterside and Harvest Green.

The board reviewed and approved the PGVFD audit report for last year and the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020 which continues fire protection service fee at $11.00 per household.  As a part of the discussion about the budget it was observed that the service fee has remained constant for 5 years and there appeared to be a consensus among the PGMUD board members that beginning the fiscal year starting October 1, 2021 it would be reasonable for the fire department to request a rate adjustment in line with the consumer price index (CPI). Chief Woolley’s report continues below:

• 81 calls for emergency service
• 47 calls were located in Pecan Grove
• 19 calls were located in Waterside
• 12 calls were located in Harvest Green
• 3 calls were located outside of our district
• 0 calls were to mutual aid another agency

Nothing big or out of the ordinary, normal medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, fire/medical alarms.

Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases, I have suspended in person training and meetings through the end of July. We will review the situation at the end of the month and make the decision to continue the suspension or open back up and at what level.

We would like to thank the community for their efforts in stopping the spread of the virus. Staying home, wearing face coverings and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more really helps us serve you.

Remember, if you experience a medical issue and feel like you need to be checked out, DO NOT wait to call because you’re afraid of the reports of the hospital situations. We will respond along with Fort Bend County EMS and evaluate your situation. If you do not need to go to the hospital, we will let you know. However, if it is serious and you do need to go, you will be transported. The important message here is don’t wait until it is too late.

It is the time of the year when the tropics fire up. Make sure you are ready, stock up on water, non-perishable food items, batteries, keep your vehicles filled with fuel etc. If you have a portable generator and we lose power, remember Safety First. Don’t run the generator indoors, not even in the garage. Carbon Monoxide is deadly. Also watch out for electrical shock.

Sheriff’s Office Update

No representative of the Sheriff’s office signed in to the meeting.

Bullhead Slough Improvements

The photo below illustrates two major improvements being carried out on two sections of Bullhead Slough. The floating platform in the waterway is directing a large hose which is sucking silt from the bottom to deepen the channel. The increased depth will improve Bullhead Slough’s capacity as a storm water detention facility. A deeper channel will also improve reliability of the aerators and help reduce growth of vegetation.

Also illustrated is the installation of a shoreline maintenance system called ShoreSox. The material is anchored in place along the shoreline and grass sod will be installed which will grow through the ShoreSox. The resulting system has been proven effective in maintaining the integrity of waterway shorelines in other areas.

Jones Creek Slope Repair Update

The work to stabilize the bank of Jones Creek adjoining Pecan Lakes has been completed.  The bank has been lined with steel cages of rocks whose purpose is to allow flood water that soaks the bank behind the baskets to drain quickly to the creek. The picture below was taken midway through the project and illustrates the rock-filled cages in place.

Administration Building Update

The board received a report that construction drawings would be delivered the week beginning August 3.  After these drawings are received, bids will be solicited for construction of the building.  It was decided to hire two contractors:  one to do the site preparation and the other to construct the building.

PecanGroveMUD.com Website Activity

Visits to the site last month: 1,862

Total subscribers to News and Board Meeting Highlights: 3,378

Odyssey Engineering Report on Construction Projects

Please click here:  www.pecangrovemud.com

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Bullhead Slough Rehabilitation

The District is dredging silt out of Bullhead Slough and rehabilitating the side slopes which have eroded over time.  Project includes installing ShoreSox product at the water’s edge to stabilize and prevent future erosion.  Project includes eastern and middle sections of Bullhead.  Rehabilitation of the western section of Bullhead will be performed in the future.

Notice to Proceed has been issued for July 6, 2020 and Contractor will mobilize shortly thereafter.  Contractor has begun stabilization of the side slopes and will begin draining and dredging Bullhead in August.

Residents are reminded that this will be an active heavy construction site.  DO NOT enter construction site at any time.  Unauthorized access to the construction area places the unauthorized visitor and construction crews at risk.

Jones Creek Slope Rehabilitation

Construction has commenced on the Jones Creek Slope Rehabilitation project, which consists of installation of gabion basket erosion protection system along the west side of Pecan Lakes, adjacent to Jones Creek.  Project is expected be under construction through Summer 2020.

Construction is substantially complete!  Contractor will continue to clean up the project site.

The Contractor is allowed to work from 7 a.m. until sunset for seven days a week. At this time, the Contractor does expect to work seven days a week in order to achieve the project delivery schedule.

Residents are reminded that this is an active heavy construction site.  DO NOT enter construction site at any time.  There has been unauthorized access to the construction area which places the unauthorized visitor and construction crews at risk.

Improvements to Raw Water Tanks at Surface Water Treatment Plant

The District is installing a floating mixer in each of the raw water storage tanks at the Surface Water Treatment Plant located off Skinner Road.  The mixers create constant movement in the raw water to limit sediment from settling to the bottom of the tank. In addition, stairs and walkways are being installed as part of this project to improve operator access to the tanks.

Project is under construction.  Sediment in the west tank will be removed in August and catwalk assembly will begin once that is complete.

South Pump Station Automation

The District is updating the electrical system to allow for the pumps at the south pump station to automatically turn on or off based on the water level in the main channel.

Notice to Proceed has been issued and Construction is nearly complete which will allow the Contractor to control the pump station remotely in times of inclement weather.

Electrical Improvements and Generator at Water Plant No. 2

The District is updating the electrical system including installation of a new generator at water plant no. 2 (located near the elevated storage tank).

Notice to Proceed has been issued.  Construction has commented.  Water Plant No. 2 is currently non-operational due to construction activity; however, the plant is expected to placed back into service in early August 2020.

Improvements at Water Plant No. 3

The District is modifying the pumps and piping system at water plant no. 3 (located at the end of Willow Bend Dr.).

Notice to Proceed has been issued.  Contractor is ordering the necessary components and construction is expected to begin in Summer 2020.

North Pump Station Improvements

The District is improving the access to the north pump station by adjusting the headwall and grading modifications.  Project also includes automation of the pumps based on level of water in Bullhead Slough.

Construction activity onsite has commenced with the contractor removing the existing concrete slope paving.

Scope of Work

Bullhead Slough (“Slough”) is a manmade channel that serves as an inline detention/amenity basin. The slough consists of three segments. All three segments are bounded on the north and south by Victoria Gardens Drive and Old Dixie Drive, respectively. The first segment, Eastern Pond 3, begins at Colonel Court Drive and ends at Old South Road. The second segment, Middle Pond 2, begins at Old South Road and ends at Farmer Road. The third segment, Western Pond 1, begins at Farmer Road and ends at the outfall into Oyster Creek. This project includes the first and second segments, or Eastern Pond 3 and Middle Pond 2. The third segment, Western Pond 1, will be rehabilitated under a different project in the future.

Existing Conditions

Over time the Slough’s side slopes have eroded. The diminished side slopes reduce the slope’s stability and can lead to worsening slope failures. Additionally, silt, or very fine dirt, has been deposited along the entirety of the Slough as a result of slope erosion and run-off. Silt has built up and reduced the depth of the Slough and created islands of vegetation growth. The shallower water leads to mosquitos, algae, and vegetation as well as reduces detention volume. Finally, the build-up of silt disrupts the fountains within the Slough.

Proposed Conditions

This project will resolve both of the existing condition issues of failed side slopes and silt build-up by removing the silt by dredging and restoring the side slopes with ShoreSOX installation. The dredged material is pumped into a dewatering bag to dry and then is hauled off-site and legally deposited. ShoreSOX re-stabilize shorelines using an open-ended containment system that is filled with locally sourced organic material. The ShoreSOX are then seeded to allow vegetation to grow through the sock and halt soil erosion.

Schedule

The Notice to Proceed will be issued on July 6, 2020 and the project is expected to be completed in November 2020.

Procedure

The Contractor, Storm Water Solutions, will begin by prepping the ShoreSOX along the edges of the most eroded side slopes. They will stage the primary dewatering bags on the northeast side of the Eastern Pond 3. They will also stage auxiliary/backup dewatering bags near the southwest side of Western Pond 1. The Contractor will then use a crane to place the hydraulic dredge into Eastern Pond 3. The dredge will remove silt via pumping into the dewatering bags. The dewatering bags will be surrounded by haybales as stormwater pollution prevention and to prevent any silt from reentering the slough. The dewatered material will be tested for acceptability for filling the ShoreSOX in lieu of imported soil/mulch. If unsuitable, the dewatered materials will be loaded into trailers and hauled off-site for legal disposal. This process will be repeated for Middle Pond 2.

The Contractor is allowed to work from 7 a.m. until sunset for seven days a week. At this time, the Contractor does not expect to work seven days a week in order to achieve the project delivery schedule. Weekend schedules will be approved on an as needed basis.

Residents are reminded that this is an active construction site. DO NOT enter construction site at any time.

Residents who want testing or other information regarding the COVID-19 virus may click on this link:

https://www.coronavirusfortbend.gov/coronavirus-fort-bend-covid19-testing-for-residents.html

In addition, at this Fort Bend County web site you will be able to sign up to receive periodic updates on the progression of COVID-19 cases in FBC.

Pecan Grove park and facilities are cleaned and disinfected once daily.

Although we are trying our best to prevent and control any viruses, please use at your own risk.