Residents have commented on low water levels in ponds due to this year's drought at several meetings since rainfall slowed in May.
Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes said there are several options for the township to consider, including short-, mid- and long-term solutions. The concerns raised by residents include both aesthetic and health concerns, with previous discussion centering around concern for wildlife, water quality and property values.
Continuing the present approach to drought management, lake and pond health would be monitored on an ongoing basis, he said. A short-term aesthetic approach would require $15,000 to $30,000 to fill Kayak Ridge and Hullwood ponds by 1 to 2 feet and $50,000 to fill an additional eight or nine ponds 3 feet or more.
Laura Norton, president of Municipal Utility District No. 47, spoke during the public comment session at the meeting, encouraging the township not to use groundwater to top off ponds, noting the threat posed by subsidence to excessive groundwater withdrawal.
"As long as water levels are healthy, [aesthetics] shouldn’t be priority," she said.
However, other residents have spoken in favor of keeping the pond levels higher to promote both appearance and health of the ponds.
A mid- to long-term solution to drought management would include reviewing an engineering study to access stormwater for Kayak Ridge. A study will identify associated costs, Nunes said. A more aggressive approach to aesthetic management would mean reviewing all township lakes and ponds to determine costs to remedy the issues.
The township voted to revisit the topic in October.
In addition to discussing ponds, the board discussed pools. The Bridge Bats Swim Team offered last week to pay for a heater, which the township estimated to cost $76,000, for the Lakeside Pool on West Alden Bridge Drive to make it more usable in the October through April season.
After presenting three options, the board voted to have the township cover the cost of the heater and adjust fee schedules for users. The other options were to direct the swim team to other facilities, or to accept a donation of a heater.
The township also voted to continue bus service to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2023, including Fridays Saturdays, Sundays and the pre-rodeo cookoff. The service previously ran in 2022 and in 2019.
