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Bell County WCID repair will trigger Stage 4 water conservation May 27–30; Killeen urges 30% cutback
Summary
Officials warned a shutdown for a 48-inch main replacement means Killeen and neighboring jurisdictions must cut water use about 30% May 27–30 to avoid boil-water advisories; restrictions include no outside watering, no carwashes and no pool refills.
KILLEEN, Texas — City staff and the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (WCID) told the council they will implement Stage 4 water conservation for the region during a planned repair of a 48-inch transmission main, asking residents and businesses to cut water use beginning Memorial Day weekend.
WCID will replace roughly 5,000 feet of aging 48-inch pipe and construct a new 3-million-gallon concrete storage tank; the final tie-in requires temporary shutdowns. Jeffrey Reynolds, presenting city coordination with WCID, emphasized the line delivers about two-thirds of the water supply into the area served and that the May 27–30 work (dates subject to weather interruption) requires pre-emptive conservation to preserve storage and avoid a mandatory boil-water order.
The conservation request begins May 26 and asks all affected communities — Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Fort Cavazos, Nolanville and a regional water supplier — to reduce typical water use by at least 30% during the repairs. The restrictions include no outdoor watering, no carwashes (residential or commercial), no use of water for construction dust control, no pool refills, and closure of splash pads. Exceptions were noted for fire-fighting and watering animals.
Reynolds said staff has coordinated directly with grocery stores, hospitals and major users and sent letters to carwashes and other businesses. The city will monitor compliance and, where necessary, shut meters for commercial operations that violate the mandatory conservation while the repair is underway. Hill Country Transit and other partners will operate with the same restrictions.
“Reduce water consumption by at least 30% during repairs,” Reynolds said. “If we do not have sufficient reductions and storage is depleted, WCID will be forced to issue a mandatory boil-water advisory.” City staff said they had made repeated public notices on social media, the local news and direct contacts to large water users.
Residents were advised to run full dishwasher and washing-machine loads, turn off faucets while brushing teeth and fix drips. Staff said the city will track usage and provide updates during the repair window.
