What Harris County MUD 217 does

Harris County MUD 217 is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created under Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution and operating under Chapters 49 and 54 of the Texas Water Code. Established with current governance dating to 2004, the district provides water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, and solid waste disposal services to approximately 800 single-family residences in the Heritage Village subdivision of northwest Houston, Texas, plus one school (Heritage Elementary within Spring ISD). The district is governed by a five-member elected Board of Directors serving staggered four-year terms and is professionally administered by a General Manager and Facilities Manager, with operational execution outsourced to specialized contractors including Water Wastewater Management Services (water/wastewater operations and billing), Texas Pride Disposal/WCA Waste Corporation (twice-weekly garbage collection), and a suite of engineering, legal, bookkeeping, tax assessment, and communications consultants.

The district's service portfolio extends beyond core utilities to include a 4.25-acre Heritage Park (walking trails, playground, sports field, picnic facilities), a fitness center, a banquet room (capacity 85) and conference center (capacity 24) housed in the 5,000-square-foot Administration Building, off-duty Constable patrols supplementing Harris County Sheriff's Office coverage, and an opt-in email/text emergency alert system. A smart meter deployment completed in 2025, delivered in partnership with Accurate Meter and Water Wastewater Management Services, connects all customers to the EyeOnWater cloud portal and mobile application for real-time consumption tracking, trend analysis, and leak/continuous-usage alerts.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining usage-based water and sewer charges, ad valorem property taxes levied within district boundaries, recurring solid waste collection fees, transaction-based facility rentals, and annual fitness center memberships. Customer acquisition costs are effectively zero because service is automatic for all residents within the district's exclusive service territory. All services are delivered in English and Spanish, and the district conducts community outreach through quarterly newsletters, semi-annual cleanup events, holiday celebrations (July 4th, Juneteenth, Winterfest, Easter Egg-stravaganza), National Night Out, and pandemic-era partnerships with the Houston Food Bank and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Name

Harris County MUD 217

Legal name

Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 217

Website

https://hcmud217.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Harris County MUD 217 is a Texas municipal utility district providing water, sewer, and solid waste services to approximately 800 single-family homes in the Heritage Village subdivision of Houston, alongside parks, fitness, and security amenities, governed by an elected five-member board.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Water and Sewer Services: Revenue generated from water and sewer utility services provided to approximately 800 single-family residences. Includes service connection fees, monthly usage charges, and billing services through third-party operators.
2. Property Taxes: MUD districts levy property taxes on real property within the district boundaries to fund operations, infrastructure, and debt service.
3. Solid Waste Collection: Garbage collection services provided through Texas Pride Disposal/WCA Waste Corporation on Monday and Thursday of each week.
4. Facility Rentals: Rental income from banquet room (capacity 85) and conference center (capacity 24) located in the 5,000 square feet Administration Building.
5. Fitness Center Memberships: Annual gym membership fee of $60 plus $10 card application fee for residents of Heritage Village Subdivision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Harris County MUD 217 is a Texas municipal utility district that provides potable water, sanitary sewer, and solid waste collection to approximately 800 single-family homes within the Heritage Village subdivision in Harris County, Texas. The district also operates recreational facilities including Heritage Park, a fitness center, and rental venues, and maintains a 24/7 emergency alert system for residents.

Product overview

Harris County MUD 217 operates as a municipal utility district providing essential public services to approximately 800 single-family homes in the Heritage Village subdivision near Houston, TX. The core service portfolio includes water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, and solid waste (garbage) collection. The district has deployed smart water meters (in partnership with Water Wastewater Management Services and Accurate Meter) that enable the EyeOnWater digital platform for resident water usage monitoring. Beyond utilities, the MUD maintains recreational amenities including Heritage Park (4.25 acres with trails, playground, and sports fields), a Fitness Center, Conference Center, and Banquet Room available for community rental. The district also provides an Emergency Alert System for urgent communications. The administrative structure includes a 5-member Board of Directors with public monthly meetings at the Administration Building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Service Municipal water distribution service providing potable water to approximately 800 single-family homes within the district, including new service connections, billing management, and leak reporting for Heritage Village residents.
• Wastewater/Sewer Service Sanitary sewer collection and treatment services for Heritage Village residents and Heritage Elementary School.
• Garbage Collection Solid waste collection and disposal service operating on Mondays and Thursdays, including bulk/heavy item pickup and yard waste removal, provided through Texas Pride Disposal to district residents.
• Smart Meters Intelligent water meters that track usage, detect leaks, and provide residents with real-time water consumption data via the EyeOnWater portal and mobile application.
• Fitness Center Air-conditioned workout facility with cable weights, free weights, cardiovascular machines, training benches, and medicine balls, open 7 days a week from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for Heritage Village residents with annual membership.
• Conference Center Meeting room with executive-style chairs, spacious conference tables, full-service kitchen, audiovisual equipment, and seating for 24 attendees, available for private reservations by residents and external parties.
• Banquet Room Private event venue with capacity for 85 guests, featuring round or square tables with linens, full-service kitchen, custom service bar, French doors opening to covered patio, and 75 dedicated parking spaces.
• Heritage Park Detention Pond Outdoor park featuring walking trails, playground equipment, gymnastics area, soccer/softball field with spectator stands, picnic tables, water fountains, and track.
• Emergency Alert System Instant notification system that sends email and/or text message alerts to residents during unusual water supply conditions, construction projects, and district events. Residents opt in by texting 'yes' to (832) 610-2511.
• EyeOnWater Cloud-based portal and mobile application that connects residents to their water consumption data, enabling usage tracking, trend analysis, and custom alerts for high usage, continuous usage, or leak detection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 800 households served with water and sewer services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Water Wastewater Management Services (WWWMS)coreTechnology or IntegrationOperates and manages the district's water and wastewater systems. Handles service requests, billing inquiries, new service setup, and disconnect requests. Contact: 281-895-8547. Located at 13563 Bammel N Houston Rd, Houston, TX 77066.
• Accurate MetercoreTechnology or IntegrationSmart meter provider partnering with the district and Water Wastewater Management Services to bring intelligent water meters to the community. Part of the EyeOnWater initiative for water conservation.
• Texas Pride Disposal / WCA Waste CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides garbage collection services on Monday and Thursday of each week. Handles household waste and one heavy/bulky item per collection day. Contact: 281-368-8397 or [email protected].
• EyeOnWatercoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based portal and mobile application providing residents access to water usage data, trends, and custom alerts. Connected to smart meter installation throughout the district.
• Mitchell & Zientek, LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral counsel and attorney for the district. Frank Mitchell and Josh Zientek serve as legal advisors. Located at 24624 Interstate 45 N, Suite 200, The Woodlands, TX 77386.
• Langford Engineering Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering consultant for the district. Timothy Hardin serves as engineer. Located at 1080 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77043. Contact: 713-461-3530.
• Municipal Accounts & Consulting, L.P.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBookkeeper for the district. Adam Charanza serves as contact. Located at 611 Longmire Rd, Ste 1, Conroe, TX 77304. Contact: 936-756-1644.
• Bob Leared InterestscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTax assessor/collector for the district. Robin Goin serves as contact. Located at 11111 Katy Freeway, Suite 725, Houston, TX 77079. Contact: 713-932-9011.
• Triton Consulting GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunications consultant for the district. Amanda Beasley serves as contact. Responsible for website development and maintenance. Located at 3 Grogans Park Dr. Ste. 205, Spring, TX 77380. Contact: 281-766-4276.
• Harris County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides law enforcement services. Non-emergency line: 713-221-6000. In case of emergency, residents call 9-1-1.
• Off-Duty Harris County Constable PatrolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional security patrols funded by the board since 2017. Four hours of extra patrol work daily in Heritage Village and Heritage Park. Sergeant Jeff McGowen serves as lead security contact at [email protected].
• Houston Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with HCMUD 217 during the COVID-19 pandemic to organize food distribution events. Provided perishable and non-perishable food items to over 1,200 households in the area during 2020-2021.
• Heritage Village HOAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeowners association within the district boundaries. Coordinates on pool oversight, annual assessment fees, playground at Swords Creek, deed restrictions, and community events including the July 4th celebration.
• Congresswoman Sheila Jackson LeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with HCMUD 217 during the COVID-19 pandemic to organize drive-thru food distribution events for Heritage Village residents and surrounding areas.
• Spring ISDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district serving Heritage Village. Heritage Elementary School is located within the district boundaries. District works with the school for back-to-school safety notifications.
• Harris County Precinct 4minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandles road maintenance, traffic signs, sidewalks, and bridges within the precinct boundaries. Contact for street light issues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• American Water Works Company: The largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility, serving over 14 million people. Comparable as a regulated water/sewer service provider under similar franchise-style territorial protections, though at vastly greater scale and across multiple states.
• Veolia North America: A subsidiary of Veolia Environnement operating water/wastewater and environmental services across the US, often under municipal operating contracts. Comparable as an outsourced operator of municipal water/wastewater systems — analogous to the role WWWMS plays for HCMUD 217.
• California Water Service Group: A publicly traded investor-owned water utility serving ~2 million people through regulated subsidiaries. Shares the franchise-utility operating model with HCMUD 217, although California regulatory oversight differs from Texas MUD law.
• Essential Utilities (Aqua America): A large regulated water, wastewater, and natural gas utility serving ~5 million people across 10 states. Operates under a similar regulatory framework of state-level utility commissions with exclusive service territories, providing the closest scaled analog to HCMUD 217's water/sewer business model.

Others

• Severn Trent Services: An international water and wastewater services company with US municipal contract operations. Provides a reference point for outsourced water/wastewater operations analogous to the WWWMS contract structure used by HCMUD 217.

Direct peers

• Waste Management, Inc. The largest US solid waste hauler and the parent entity of WCA Waste Corporation (HCMUD 217's contracted garbage operator). Highly comparable for the district's twice-weekly solid waste collection service, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Republic Services: A major US solid waste and recycling services company with recurring residential collection contracts. Comparable for the recurring subscription-based garbage collection component of HCMUD 217's service offering, although operating at national scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harris-county-mud-217

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harris County MUD 217