Please note that the regular March 16, 2026, Board of Directors Meeting is cancelled. The District’s regular meetings will resume in April.
MUD 345 Second Water Well – March Project Update
The Contractor has drilled the test hole for the well and has sent in water samples for testing. In mid-March the Contractor will assess the water bearing capacity of the aquifer at this well location to ensure the well has sufficient capacity to meet the needs of our Districts public water system demand. Over the course of the next month, the Contractor will install the well casing and cement, set the liner, screens and gravel pack. This is followed by work to develop the well and validate the water well production rate in gallons per minute (gpm). By mid-April, the Contractor is expected to remove the test pumping equipment.
The permanent equipment is then ordered, manufactured, and installed. By mid-August the final testing of the well and water samples is then conducted. A well completion report is sent to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Once approved, the well can be put online
Project Overview
Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 345 (MUD 345) began construction of its second water well on September 19, 2025, near the intersection of Kingsland Boulevard and Conifer Chase, at the southeast corner of the Second Baptist church property. This additional water well will expand the district’s production capacity and serve as a backup to the current well, helping to ensure a reliable water supply for our community. Developing a new water well is a lengthy process that takes several months to complete. The estimated completion date for this project is August 2026.
Residents should be aware that:
Drilling a water well can be noisy. To help minimize disruption, the Contractor has constructed a 24-foot-tall sound barrier before drilling begins. At certain stages of the project, crews may need to work 24 hours a day as part of the well development process.
Please click on the document link below for schedule and progress.
The regular March 16, 2026, Board of Directors meeting is cancelled.
The February 16th, 2026 Board of Directors Meeting has been cancelled.
MUD 345 is prepared and will be actively monitoring the situation. While we don’t anticipate any issues, Inframark will have crews on standby to promptly respond if needed. If an urgent issue arises, we will communicate via the District’s messaging system and update the website accordingly.
Wind has a major impact on whether exposed pipes freeze, even when the air temperature alone might seem marginal. Here’s how it works in practical terms:
1. Wind accelerates heat loss (wind chill effect)
• Wind strips away the thin layer of warmer air that naturally surrounds a pipe.
• This increases convective heat transfer, causing the pipe to lose heat much faster.
• Even though wind chills don’t lower the actual air temperature, it lowers the effective temperature of the pipe surface, making freezing more likely.
Example: At 28°F (−2°C) with strong wind, an exposed pipe can cool as fast as it would in much colder, calm conditions.
2. Pipes freeze faster in windy conditions
• In still air, pipes may retain some heat from:
• Residual warm water inside
• Heat leaking from nearby buildings or the ground
• Wind removes that heat continuously, allowing the pipe temperature to drop below 32°F (0°C) more quickly.
This is why pipes often freeze:
• On north-facing or windward sides of buildings
• In crawlspaces, attics, or under homes with air infiltration
• On bridges or elevated structures
3. Wind defeats insulation if it’s not sealed
• Insulation works by trapping air.
• Wind penetrating gaps or poorly sealed insulation nullifies its effectiveness.
• Even insulated pipes can freeze if wind is allowed to blow through or behind the insulation.
Key point: Insulation must be continuous, sealed, and wind-blocked to be effective.
4. Evaporative cooling can worsen freezing
• If moisture is present (rain, melting snow, condensation), wind speeds up evaporation.
• Evaporation pulls additional heat from the pipe, lowering its temperature further.
• This is especially dangerous around outdoor faucets and irrigation lines.
5. Why moving water helps—but wind can still win
• Flowing water resists freezing because it brings in heat from upstream.
• However, in strong wind and prolonged cold:
• Slow trickles may not provide enough heat
• Small-diameter pipes can still freeze
Practical mitigation strategies
To reduce wind-related freezing risk:
• Block wind exposure (plywood shields, skirting, or wind barriers)
• Seal insulation with tape or vapor barrier
• Use heat tape rated for outdoor use
• Enclose pipes where possible
Bottom line
Wind dramatically increases the freezing risk of exposed pipes by accelerating heat loss. In freezing weather, a windy 28°F night can be far more dangerous to pipes than a calm 20°F night.
There are several effective methods to keep your exposed pipes from freezing. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Insulation:
• Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or heat cable to wrap pipes.
• Make sure to cover all joints and bends thoroughly.
2. Enclosures and Barriers: Build insulated boxes or enclosures around vulnerable pipes.
• Use plywood or other wind barriers to block strong gusts.
3. Sealing Gaps:
• Seal any cracks, gaps, or openings in walls, floors, and foundations where cold air can seep in.
4. Heating Solutions:
• Install a small space heater or heat lamp in areas with exposed pipes.
• Use heat tape or cables that are thermostatically controlled to maintain a safe temperature.
5. Keeping Indoor Temperatures Consistent:
• Maintain consistent heat in areas where pipes are exposed, such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
6. Disconnecting and Draining:
• For outdoor hoses and sprinkler systems, disconnect and drain them before freezing weather sets in.
7. Using Outdoor Faucet Covers:
• Install insulated covers over outdoor faucets to help protect them from the cold.
By combining several of these methods, you can significantly reduce the risk of frozen pipes.