Water crisis deepens as leaks plague aging infrastructure

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant concerns regarding water loss in the community, primarily attributed to aging infrastructure and frequent leaks. The meeting highlighted the water supply data from various sources, revealing that Talbert provided 9,580,000 gallons, Bluebonnet contributed 17,416,000 gallons, and Westridge supplied 1,663,000 gallons, while Friendly Oaks reported no contributions.

A major point of contention was the increasing number of water leaks, particularly on the 6-inch mainline along 809 O'Bethany, which has experienced 22 leaks since 2020. Officials noted that the condition of the line is deteriorating, necessitating urgent repairs or replacement rather than temporary fixes. The discussion emphasized that the line's location complicates repairs, as it runs beneath a creek and requires deep excavation, making it both challenging and unsafe to access.

The meeting underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy to address these infrastructure issues, with suggestions to upgrade the problematic lines to larger diameters to enhance water flow and reduce future leaks. The officials acknowledged that without proactive measures, water loss will continue to escalate, impacting the community's water supply and management efforts.