In Vacek Country Meadows, a newer subdivision outside Richmond, some homeowners say they are shelling out about $120 a month for tap water that runs hazy yellow or brown and often reeks of rotten eggs. Residents report that the problem has dragged on despite service calls and pricey filtration systems, and a few parents say their children have developed itching they believe is tied to the water.
Neighbors have saved vials and snapped photos of the murky tap, describing it as "hazy yellow" and "brown" with a "horrible" sulfur smell, according to FOX 26 Houston. They told the station they are paying roughly $120 a month for the service. A filtration company recommended and installed a well filter for some homes, residents said, but several report that the discolored, foul-smelling water persisted even after the upgrade. Multiple homeowners also told the reporter their children have experienced skin itching, which they attribute to the tap water.
QUADVEST Response: Flushes, Tests And A Clean Bill Of Health
In a statement to FOX 26 Houston, QUADVEST said it sent field crews into the neighborhood, flushed two hydrants near 8118 and 8151 Vacek Meadows Loop, and sampled water at 8118 Vacek Meadows Loop to check residual levels and color. According to the company, the hydrant at 8151 Vacek Meadows Loop cleared after about five minutes of flushing, and a second hydrant near Jowart Court cleared immediately. QUADVEST reported that "the residual levels tested within normal range, and no discoloration was detected," and added that the "water filter at the water plant had recently been switched and is operating properly."
What The Color And Smell Actually Mean
Quadvest's Consumer Confidence Report for the Vacek system notes that taste, color and odor issues are often driven by "secondary constituents" such as iron and sulfur, which are regulated by the State of Texas rather than the EPA, as outlined by Quadvest. The report states that those characteristics "are not necessarily causes for health concerns" even though they can affect the way the water looks and smells, and it directs customers to contact the system's business office if they have questions.
Potential Provider Switch Could Shift Long-Term Fixes
Public filings tied to Docket No. 59279 show that an application was filed earlier this year to transfer several Quadvest service areas - including Vacek Country Meadows - to SJWTX Inc., doing business as The Texas Water Company, according to public notices from The Texas Water Company. The transfer documents list Vacek Country Meadows among the water systems proposed for transfer and state that the filing covers hundreds of customer connections. If approved, the move would shift operational responsibility for the subdivision's water system from Quadvest to The Texas Water Company.
What Residents Can Do Right Now
Homeowners who are still seeing discolored water or smelling strong odors are advised to keep records of samples and service visits and to contact Quadvest's customer service. The system's water-quality report lists the business office phone number as (281) 356-5347, according to Quadvest. Residents who remain concerned about water safety or regulatory compliance can also raise the issue with local officials and the state regulator, and the public transfer filings offer a paper trail on the proposed provider change for anyone who wants to track what happens next.
