Westfield Estates Watershed

The Westfield Estates Watershed Protection Plan (Westfield Estates WPP) addresses bacterial impairment in the Westfield Estates Watershed. The watershed is located in northeast Harris County adjacent to Halls Bayou (segment 1006D), which is also impaired for bacteria. The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), along with community stakeholders, prepared this plan according to the EPA's 9 Element Watershed-based Plan Model.

The Westfield Estates WPP is a three-year implementation plan designed to:

1. Reduce the human-source component (failing septic systems) through construction and maintenance and installation of low flow devices
2. Decrease the non-human source component through education and implementation of animal waste reduction programs
3. Raise community awareness through information and education activities

Residents in the watershed dispose of human waste via on-site sewer facilities (OSSF). Approximately 20 to 40 percent of these systems appear to be in violation of County permit requirements and are leaking bacteria. Preliminary source tracking studies of standing ditch water in the watershed indicate the source of bacteria is human (16%), dog (33%) and chicken (17%), and unknown non-human source (34%).

Stakeholders involved in the Westfield Estates Watershed Protection Plan will contribute funds to the cost of corrective measures. These include:

• Harris County Precinct 2, Commissioner Garcia’s Office
• Harris County, Public Infrastructure Department
• East Aldine Management District
• Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District - Oakwilde
• Galveston Bay Estuary Program
• Houston-Galveston Area Council