A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Fort Bend MUD 133 Utility Bill

Living in a master planned community like Fort Bend MUD 133 comes with many advantages like access to premium amenities landscaped green spaces and reliable utility services. However, to enjoy these benefits, residents must pay their quarterly utility bills on time. This guide will provide an overview of Fort Bend MUD 133 and the different payment options available to easily pay your utility bill.

Fort Bend MUD 133 is a municipal utility district located in the fast-growing Cinco Ranch area of Katy, Texas. The district provides water, sewer and drainage services to over 4700 residential and commercial connections.

Fort Bend MUD 133 supplies surface water from the West Harris County Regional Water Authority and operates a wastewater treatment plant along with water supply facilities to meet the needs of its customers.

The district is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors elected by the residents. The operations and maintenance of the water/sewer infrastructure is managed by Municipal District Services (MDS) on behalf of the District.

Residents receive quarterly utility bills for water and sewer usage along with other applicable fees and taxes. Let us look at what comprises your Fort Bend MUD 133 utility bill.

Understanding Your Fort Bend MUD 133 Utility Bill

Fort Bend MUD 133 bills residents on a quarterly basis for water and sewer services. Here are the key components of your utility bill:

• Water Usage Charges – Based on the actual amount of water used measured in gallons. Higher water use means higher charges.

• Sewer Usage Charges – Calculated as a percentage of the water usage charges as sewer usage is estimated from water meter readings.

• Water Base Charge – Fixed quarterly charge for water service coverage and infrastructure.

• Sewer Base Charge – Fixed quarterly charge for sewer service coverage and infrastructure.

• Regulatory Charges – Includes pass-through charges assessed by various regional authorities.

• Taxes – Applicable taxes on the total utility usage and services.

Reviewing the bill breakdown gives you clarity on what you are being charged for and helps identify any erroneous charges.

When are Fort Bend MUD 133 Utility Bills Issued?

Fort Bend MUD 133 utility bills are issued on a quarterly basis as per the following billing cycle:

• January – March usage: Bill issued in April
• April – June usage: Bill issued in July
• July – September usage: Bill issued in October
• October – December usage: Bill issued in January

Bills are sent out during the first week of the billing month. You must pay the bill by the due date mentioned on the bill to avoid penalties.

How to Pay Your Fort Bend MUD 133 Utility Bill?

Fort Bend MUD 133 offers residents multiple options to pay their water and sewer bills conveniently.

Pay Online

The easiest way to pay your utility bill is online via the MDS customer portal.

• Visit www.mdswater.com and register your account.
• View your balance and make secure online payment by credit/debit card or e-check.
• Set up auto-pay to have payments deducted automatically each billing cycle.

Pay via Mobile App

Use the MDS Water Utility app on your smartphone to conveniently pay your bill on the go. Simply download the app, log in to your account and pay in a few taps.

Pay by Phone

Call the MDS toll-free customer service number at (855) 270-3592 and make a payment over the phone using your credit/debit card or checking account.

Pay by Mail

Write a check for the bill amount, include your account number, and mail it to the payment address printed on the invoice before the due date.

Pay in Person

Visit the MDS office locations in Katy or Cypress with your bill and make a payment by cash, money order or check.

Pay at Retail Locations

Present your bill at H-E-B, Kroger or Walmart and pay your bill at the payment counter via cash or card. A nominal convenience fee applies.

Pay via Bank’s Bill Pay Service

You can also utilize your bank’s online bill pay service to pay your Fort Bend MUD 133 utility bills seamlessly each quarter.

The variety of payment methods offered makes it very convenient to pay your Fort Bend MUD 133 utility bill on time every billing cycle.

What Happens If You Miss Paying Your Utility Bill?

If you are unable to pay your Fort Bend MUD 133 utility bill by the due date, it can result in some serious consequences:

• A 10% late penalty will be assessed on the outstanding bill amount if not paid by the due date.

• If the bill remains unpaid for over 30 days after the due date, a termination notice will be sent alerting that water service will be disconnected if payment is not received.

• Once water service is terminated for non-payment, a $50 reconnection fee will be charged to resume services along with clearing all outstanding dues.

• Long outstanding dues can also impact your credit score negatively besides discontinuation of water supply.

So make sure to pay your utility bills on time each quarter to avoid penalties and service disruption.

Tips to Avoid Missing Bill Payments

Here are some useful tips to stay on top of your utility bill payments:

Go Paperless – Opt for e-bills to get notified via email as soon as a new bill is generated. It saves paper and reminds you to pay on time.

Set Payment Reminders – Mark the bill due dates on your calendar and set reminders to prevent forgetting.

Enroll in Auto Pay – Set up recurring automatic payments from your bank account to pay bills hassle-free.

Analyze Usage – Review usage patterns each quarter to identify any abnormal spikes indicating leaks or overuse.

Leverage Budget Billing – Avail budget billing option to pay fixed amount every month based on usage history.

Maintain Accurate Account Info – Keep your contact information and mailing address updated with MDS to receive bills regularly without disruptions.

Get Alerts – Sign up for low balance alerts by email/text to be notified when account balance falls below set threshold.

Financial Assistance Options for Paying Bills

Fort Bend MUD 133 offers the following assistance programs for customers facing financial hardship and struggling to pay their utility bills:

• Payment Arrangements – Eligible customers can enter into a payment plan to pay outstanding balance in installments over time.

• Promise to Pay Program – Enables settling outstanding balance with 50% payment and paying remaining in 12 installments.

• Leak Adjustment – One-time adjustment provided to rectify high charges resulting from qualifying water leaks.

• Operation TLC – Offers qualifying seniors aged 65+ and disabled up to $100 in bill credits annually and waiver of certain fees.

Contact the MDS billing team promptly if unable to pay your bill in full to discuss arrangements and avoid service disruption.

Proactively managing your Fort Bend MUD 133 utility account and utilizing the convenient payment options ensures you enjoy uninterrupted essential services. Maintain on-time payments each billing cycle to avoid penalties or collections. Being an informed and responsible resident contributes towards creating a vibrant community.