When you open your monthly bill from HCMUD 419, you might see a few line-items whose purpose isn’t immediately obvious. Understanding what each charge represents can help you manage your usage — and your budget. Here’s a simple guide to what you’re paying for.
Common Charges on Your Bill
- Water Service (Base + Usage)
Covers the cost to treat, transport, and maintain the water that reaches your home.
Wates rates are tiered to encourage water conservation. For more information, view the Rate Order here. - Sewer Service (Base Sewer Fee)
Funds wastewater collection, treatment, and the maintenance of sewer infrastructure.
Residential customers pay a flat fee, while commercial customers pay tiered rates based on water usage. - West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) Fee
This is a mandatory fee imposed by the WHCRWA on water users within its boundaries. HCMUD 419 does not control the WHCRWA's rates and passes the WHCRWA fees on to its customers with only minor adjustments to account for system water losses and uncollectible accounts.
Understanding the WHCRWA Fee
Why does WHCRWA exist?
Decades ago, heavy groundwater pumping across West and Northwest Harris County caused significant land subsidence (the sinking or settling of the ground surface, primarily caused by excessive removal of underground water), increasing flood risk and damaging aquifers. To comply with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District’s groundwater reduction mandates, local water providers were required to convert to surface water.
The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) was created to coordinate this transition. WHCRWA does not provide retail water service; instead, it builds the regional infrastructure and purchases treated surface water that retail districts like HCMUD 419 must use.
The Role of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) was created in 1975 to address widespread land subsidence caused by over-pumping of groundwater in the region. Its mandate is to limit groundwater use to prevent further sinking of the land and associated flood risks. To comply with HGSD regulations, local water providers — including HCMUD 419 — were required to reduce reliance on groundwater and transition to surface water. WHCRWA was established to help districts meet these requirements by building the regional infrastructure needed to deliver treated surface water. In this way, the Subsidence District’s rules directly shaped the development of the regional water system that now serves HCMUD 419 residents.
What does the WHCRWA fee pay for?
The fee on your bill helps WHCRWA fund:
- The purchase of treated surface water
- Construction of regional waterlines, pump stations, and storage facilities
- Operation and maintenance of regional surface water infrastructure
- Repayment of bonds issued to build these large-scale projects
WHCRWA has constructed more than 80 miles of waterlines and multiple pump stations to support surface-water conversion across the region.
How does this fee appear on your bill?
- It is charged per 1,000 gallons of water you use.
- More usage = a higher WHCRWA charge.
- HCMUD 419 collects this fee and passes 100% of it directly to WHCRWA.
Your District does not set, adjust, or retain revenue from the WHCRWA fee. Rates are set solely by the WHCRWA Board of Directors.
Waste Collection Fee — Where Is It On My Bill?
Your monthly bill also includes the cost of residential trash and recycling collection. In 2026, increased the base sewer service fee by $1.33, from $58.98 to $60.31.
Why isn’t trash listed as a separate line-item?
If the waste and recycling collection fee were itemized, state law would require residents to pay sales tax on the service, which would increase the total amount paid each month.
To avoid unnecessary taxes—and to help keep monthly costs as low as possible—HCMUD 419 bundles the trash and recycling fee into the base sewer rate. Including it within the sewer service charge prevents the fee from becoming a taxable line item and helps residents save money.
As part of this service, standard trash and recycling carts are provided to each home at no additional cost. Charges may apply for extra carts or replacement carts beyond what is included in the standard service, in accordance with the District’s trash and recycling program policies.
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Bill
Because the WHCRWA fee is tied directly to water usage, conservation is the most effective way to lower your monthly bill. Here are several ways to manage your costs:
- Fix leaks promptly.
Small leaks can waste thousands of gallons per month, increasing both your water charge and the WHCRWA per-gallon fee. - Use water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
Low-flow showerheads, high-efficiency toilets, and smart irrigation controls can significantly reduce consumption. - Irrigate responsibly.
Outdoor watering is often the largest driver of high summer bills. Water early in the morning, adjust frequency seasonally, and ensure sprinklers aren’t spraying sidewalks or driveways. - Sign Up for EyeOnWater
One of the best tools available to HCMUD 419 residents is EyeOnWater, a free digital dashboard that connects directly to your smart water meter.
With EyeOnWater, you can:
- Track your usage in real time (hourly, daily, weekly)
- Receive leak alerts when continuous flow is detected
- Set custom usage thresholds to avoid billing surprises
- Spot abnormal patterns that might indicate irrigation or plumbing issues
EyeOnWater empowers you to make informed decisions, quickly detect problems, and reduce both your water usage.
Final Thoughts
HCMUD 419 works hard to provide reliable water, sewer, and waste-collection services while keeping costs as stable and predictable as possible for residents.
From maintaining critical infrastructure to investing in technology like smart meters and EyeOnWater, the District prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and long-term community value.
By understanding how your bill is structured — and how your own usage affects certain charges — you’re better equipped to take full advantage of the services your MUD provides and to partner with the District in protecting our shared resources.