A Water Control and Improvement District (WCID) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, and is empowered to purchase, construct, operate, and maintain everything necessary to provide water, wastewater and drainage services. Like school districts and fire districts, a WCID can collect taxes, charge service fees, operate facilities, own land, condemn property, and pass ordinances. A five (5) member Board of Directors is elected by the residents to serve four (4) year staggered terms. Elections are now held on the November Uniform Election Date in even-numbered years. WCID No. 17 is a non-profit public utility regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), now under the Public Utility Commission of Texas.