LATEST NEWS
Welcome
Welcome to the Bilma PUD Website. The District hopes this site will allow for quick and easy access to information for our customers. The District’s objective is to provide the residents and commercial establishments, OUR CUSTOMERS, with a continuous supply of quality drinking water, a safe sewer system, excellent service to our customers and good budgetary management for the present and the future.
Hurricane Preparedness 2022
Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1.
Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing how to handle them. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding and if you’re safe to remain in your home.
Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. You may also need to leave if you live in a flood prone area or in a mobile home outside a hurricane evacuation zone. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well built home outside flood prone areas. Remember, your safest place may be to remain home. Be sure to account for your pets in your plan.
As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.
If you need to go to a public shelter, follow health guidelines from your local officials and the CDC.
Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it.
Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- FLASH Insurance Guide: If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered?
- Find available coverage at floodsmart.gov
Whether you’re evacuating, or planning to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications to withstand wind impacts. Many retrofits are not as costly or time consuming as you may think.
Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.
If you’re a renter, work with your landlord now to prepare your home for a storm.
- FLASH: How-To Videos
- Protect Your Home From Flooding Video (English/Spanish)
Many people rely on their neighbors before and after a disaster, and there are many ways you can help them. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes.
Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions.
Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now. Being prepared before a hurricane threatens makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between being a hurricane victim or a hurricane survivor.
Disposal of COVID-19 At-Home Testing Kits
Pursuant to rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, COVID-19 At-Home Testing Kits are considered medical waste and should be disposed of with your regular household garbage. DO NOT DISPOSE OF YOUR COVID-19 AT-HOME TESTING KITS WITH YOUR RECYCLING MATERIAL.
Update: Repair and Replacement of Hike and Bike Trails Set to Begin Soon
Dear District Resident,
The Bilma Public Utility District (“District”) Board of Directors (“Board”) would like to provide an update on the status of repairs to the District’s hike and bike trails along the Spring Gully Tributary.
In June 2021, the Harris County Flood Control District (“HCFCD”) began a Major Maintenance project of the Spring Gully Tributary, which runs parallel with the District’s hike and bike trails. The HCFCD contractor completed the construction of the repairs to the HCFCD’s channels in the area of the District’s hike and bike trails in December 2021. During construction, the heavy equipment that the HCFCD contractor utilized damaged the existing hike and bike trail beyond repair. Although the District anticipated areas of minor damage to the existing hike and bike trail, they did not anticipate the collateral damage caused by the heavy equipment. Due to the extent of the damage, the District was forced to prepare plans to construct a new hike and bike trail and obtain approval from governmental agencies before proceeding with construction. The required process of obtaining governmental agency approval to construct a new trail has unfortunately extended the timeframe of placing the hike and bike trail back into service.
The Board has decided to replace the entire east side of the hike and bike trail, the portion that runs closest to Kuehnle Elementary, with an 8-foot (8’) wide concrete hike and bike trail, which is a more durable and cost-effective material. The District hopes to receive approvals from governmental agencies in February 2022. Immediately following governmental agency approvals, the District will be required to publicly advertise and bid the project for construction. At this time, the District anticipates construction of the new hike and bike trail (east of tributary) to begin in April 2022, pending any delays with obtaining approvals from governmental agencies. For the safety of everyone, the east side of the trail remains officially closed to public access until construction is complete in mid-2022.
The District has already facilitated temporary repairs to the asphalt paving on the portion of the hike and bike trail west of the Spring Gully Tributary (the trail across the creek from Kuehnle Elementary) and north of TC Jester Boulevard. This portion of the trail is officially open to the public.
The Board understands how vital the east side of the hike and bike trail is for students walking to and from Kuehnle Elementary. Unfortunately, this portion of the hike and bike trail will be inaccessible for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. To help alleviate the burden caused by the east side of the hike and bike trail being closed, the District constructed a sidewalk along Winding Ridge Drive to connect the soccer fields to Kuehnle Elementary School.
The Board thanks the community for their patience during HCFCD’s maintenance project and as the District begins to repair and replace the hike and bike trails. Please feel free to contact the Board or attend a monthly meeting if you have any questions.
Bilma PUD Board of Directors