How Fort Bend County MUD 142 Has Invested in Its Community for More Than 20 Years
For more than two decades, Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 142 has worked to provide reliable water, wastewater, and drainage infrastructure for a growing community. Since then, the District has expanded alongside Westheimer Lakes, Briscoe Falls, and Creekside Ranch while remaining focused on its core mission: protecting residents, maintaining essential infrastructure, and investing responsibly in the future.
As the District prepares to celebrate the opening of its newest community park, it's an opportunity to look back on the thoughtful planning and long-term stewardship that have shaped Fort Bend MUD No. 142 for more than 20 years—and the promises that continue to guide its future.
Building a Strong Foundation
Created in 2003 to serve the growing Westheimer Lakes community, Fort Bend County MUD No. 142 has since expanded to include Briscoe Falls and Creekside Ranch.
Today, the District provides essential services across approximately 916 acres and more than 4,000 water connections, but its purpose has remained unchanged: delivering reliable infrastructure and making investments that strengthen the community for generations to come.
Protecting What Matters Most
One of the District's proudest achievements is its longstanding record of protecting the community from flooding.
The District manages over 32 miles of storm sewers (enough pipe to run from the District to downtown Houston) and multiple stormwater facilities, including a stormwater pump station, approximately 2.5 miles of drainage channels, and multiple detention ponds and drainage easements.
The District recently completed a drainage improvements project that includes the removal of approximately 10,000 cubic yards of silt (almost 1,000 Dump-truck loads) within the District’s drainage channels, repairs to the sides and bottoms of the drainage channels, and the establishment of a drainage swale to ensure proper collection and movement of rainwater where it belongs.
Investing in Community Infrastructure
Behind every successful community is infrastructure that residents can depend on. Today, the District maintains approximately $92 million in public assets—including water, wastewater, drainage, and recreational facilities—that support daily life throughout the community.
Recent investments reflect the Board's commitment to maintaining those assets before problems arise. Here's a look at some of the projects that make that possible.
Keeping the Water Flowing
One of the District's water wells, built back in 2004, wasn't pumping as much water as it used to. Crews repaired it with new parts, boosting how much water it can supply.
The District also drilled a brand-new well at one of its water plants.
Together, these upgrades help make sure there's always enough water for the community, even on the hottest, highest-demand days.
Fixing Up the Sewer Lines
The District checked more than 100,000 feet of sewer pipes—cleaning them out and inspecting them with cameras to see how they were holding up.
Based on what they found, crews repaired damaged pipes and replaced worn-out manholes. Instead of digging up streets and yards, workers used a modern repair method that fixes pipes from the inside. This kept the disruption to residents to a minimum while making the sewer system stronger and more reliable for years to come.
A New Wastewater Treatment Plant
In 2024, the District finished building a brand-new wastewater treatment plant. This $25.7 million project replaced two older, temporary plants that the District had been renting.
The new plant costs less to run and treats wastewater more efficiently. It also stores and reuses treated water, which is already helping keep the amenity lakes in Westheimer Lakes at healthy levels. In the future, this reused water may also be used to water lawns and green spaces, helping the community save water.
These are just a few of the projects helping ensure residents continue to enjoy reliable utility services.
Keeping Taxes Low While Investing in the Future
Since 2012, Fort Bend MUD No. 142 has reduced its property tax rate from $1.27 to $0.59 per $100 of property value—a reduction of more than 53 percent.
The decline reflects years of careful financial planning and responsible stewardship. Even as the tax rate has fallen, the Board has continued investing in infrastructure improvements, maintaining public assets, and planning for the community's future.
| Year | Debt Service | Maintenance | Total Tax Rate | Order Levying Taxes |
| 2025 | $ 0.377 | $ 0.220 | $ 0.597 | Order Levying Taxes – 2025 |
| 2024 | $ 0.398 | $ 0.220 | $ 0.618 | |
| 2023 | $ 0.430 | $ 0.220 | $ 0.650 | Order Levying Taxes – 2023 |
| 2022 | $ 0.480 | $ 0.220 | $ 0.700 | Order Levying Taxes – 2022 |
| 2021 | $ 0.550 | $ 0.180 | $ 0.730 | Order Levying Taxes – 2021 |
| 2020 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.150 | $ 0.750 | Order Levying Taxes – 2020 |
| 2019 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.150 | $ 0.750 | Order Levying Taxes – 2019 |
| 2018 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.150 | $ 0.750 | Order Levying Taxes – 2018 |
| 2017 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.170 | $ 0.770 | Order Levying Taxes – 2017 |
| 2016 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.170 | $ 0.770 | Order Levying Taxes – 2016 |
| 2015 | $ 0.600 | $ 0.250 | $ 0.850 | Order Levying Taxes – 2015 |
| 2014 | $ 0.400 | $ 0.950 | $ 1.350 | Order Levying Taxes – 2014 |
| 2013 | $ 0.910 | $ 0.260 | $ 1.170 | Order Levying Taxes – 2013 |
The Next Chapter
The District's upcoming community park is more than a new amenity—it represents the next chapter in Fort Bend MUD No. 142's ongoing investment in the people it serves. Just as previous Boards invested in the infrastructure that supports the community today, the current Board continues to create spaces where neighbors can gather, families can connect, and future generations can thrive.
More than 20 years after the District was created, the mission remains unchanged: serve the community responsibly, invest wisely, and keep the promises made to its residents.
We are looking forward to announcing the opening of this new park soon, and we invite you to check back for updates on our progress as we get closer to the project’s completion.