City of Lampasas responds with Stage 5 conservation
Updates: At 1:44 p.m. Wednesday, city of Lampasas officials said work to repair the line was ongoing.
“Repair work continues with excavators and welders on site. We currently do not have a time frame for completion; however, we should have a better idea of restoration in the next 2 to 3 hours. Water distribution continues at the Lampasas Fire Department until 7 p.m. Staff and elected officials understand the stress and burden this places on our community and appreciate your patience. Updates will be posted to City social media and website as information becomes available. For any questions or concerns please call City Hall at 512-556-6831.”
On Wednesday at 8 a.m., KWSC said repair work was ongoing.
"The concrete line has been dug out, the leak exposed, and allowed to drain overnight. The welders should be here sometime around noon to begin the repair on the line. Once the repair is made, KWSC crews will begin slowly repressurizing the system to avoid any further breaks from pressure fluctuation," officials said.
The water supplier issued a boil water notice Tuesday evening for all customers who have been affected by the leak.
"This Boil Notice is for all members that have been, and continue to be, affected by the leak on the concrete line," officials said. "All members that lost water service on [Tuesday, Oct. 22] will need to boil their water once the repair is made and water service has been restored. Those of you that DID NOT lose water service are before the break and will NOT need to boil your water. Again, we thank you for your patience while our crew works tirelessly to restore your water service, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."
At 9:30 a.m., the city of Lampasas made a public notification of several locations to find bottled water within city limits, including Walmart, HEB and the Lampasas Fire Department.
“Both Walmart and HEB have bottled water readily available and will be bringing in more as needed. The City of Lampasas will have a water station at the Fire Department located at 1107 E 4th St., to assist those in our community with needs, providing a limited supply of bottled drinking water (1 package per vehicle) and a non-potable fill station for containers that hold water for flushing needs,” officials said.
“We are asking that citizens access the water station from Brown Street, then take a left on Mill and Briggs to enter the back of the Fire Department and exit on 4th Street. There will be barricades on Briggs to guide all drivers through the back of the Fire Department. The Water Station will be operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning this morning. Should there be a prolonged shortage, the City will assess continued operation of the water station throughout this event and communicate further dates and times,” officials said.
Kempner Water Supply Corporation is working to fix a main line leak at midday today, and the city of Lampasas has issued water conservation measures in response.
Just before 11 a.m., KWSC officials notified customers that a leak had been located on a concrete mainline near the intersection of US 190 and FM 2808, and crews were working to fix the leak.
“There could potentially be system wide pressure fluctuations or loss of water service depending on where the water line will need to be valved off to begin repairs,” KWSC officials said. “This is all the information we have for you right now, we will keep you updated as we learn more.”
Forty minutes later, the city of Lampasas issued Stage 5 water conservation measures as a result of the leak.
“City staff have learned that a water main break, in the vicinity of Taylor Creek, on the Kempner Water Supply system, will limit the delivery of water to the City of Lampasas as repairs are made,” officials said in a release. “Residents and businesses should eliminate all unnecessary use of water including landscape irrigation, washing of vehicles, and cloths washing until such time as repairs are made.
“Conservation will allow the city to maintain water pressure from our storage, however; the timeframe for repairs has not been determined, and parts of the city may experience a loss in pressure,” the statement read. “The city appreciates your efforts to conserve and additional information will be reported as it becomes available.”