These districts may provide a viable way to manage MSW in areas where a district exists, but no MSW collection or disposal services are provided. A general law district may serve as a good way to provide MSW collection services as it can do the following. The Lower Valley Water District, a MUD in El Paso County, provides water and wastewater services to approximately 8,000 customers. Realizing many of its customers did not have any viable options for convenient and affordable MSW services, the district began providing MSW collection service in January 1996. The district has a contract with a local solid waste collection company to provide weekly garbage collection and monthly bulk-waste collection.
Customers pay for the service as a part of their monthly utility bill.
In addition to providing the collection service, the district also works with customers to ensure that they are aware of the health and safety threats illegal dumping can pose to the community. Special Law Districts Special law districts are created by individual legislation. Some of these districts include the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, Van Zandt County Waste Disposal District, Gaines County Solid Waste Management District, and Upper Sabine Valley Solid Waste Management District. River authorities are also examples of special law districts that may have assigned MSW management authority. The solid waste management districts that have been created in Texas generally have the same authority.