Thomasville activates emergency operations; asks residents to conserve water after multiple line breaks

Thomasville city officials activated the city’s emergency operations center and asked residents to conserve water after multiple water-line breaks and slowed plant production during a period of extreme cold.

City Manager Michael Brandt told the City Council on Jan. 21 that freezing ground shifted pipes during the recent cold snap, producing a string of breaks that began last week and reduced the system’s ability to recharge storage tanks. “This was a situation where there just wasn't enough water in our system to guarantee that we were gonna have water unless people pulled back from their water usage,” Brandt said.

Brandt said the water plant normally produces about 2.5 million gallons per day and the city can store roughly 3.5 million gallons, but repeated overnight breaks and an early-morning house fire increased demand and prevented recovery. Crews identified at least 15 potential breaks during canvassing on Tuesday afternoon, Brandt said, searching for running water, water under ice, or unusual turbidity in creeks as signs of leaks.

The city activated its emergency operations center, mobilizing public works, maintenance and construction crews, firefighters, police and administrative staff to locate and repair leaks. Because Davidson Water — the usual backup supplier — was addressing issues in its own system, the city waited until late afternoon to switch the high-pressure eastern zone to Davidson’s system; Brandt said that connection should relieve pressure on Thomasville’s network and allow tanks to recharge if no major new breaks occur.

Brandt cautioned that thawing later in the week could again shift the ground and produce new breaks. He asked residents to continue voluntary conservation for one more night while crews work and said city staff planned to reassess the next morning.

Deputy City Manager Eddie Bowling and other council members praised staff for organizing a rapid response. Officials described what to look for when reporting potential leaks: visible running water in streets or ditches, water pooling that appears unrelated to recent rain, water under ice, or creek water that is muddy or stirred up. Brandt provided the water plant phone number for reports: (336) 475-4247 and asked residents to leave the location if they reach voicemail.

Council members noted crews would be working through the night in cold, muddy conditions and urged the community to keep emergency workers in mind. Brandt and Bowling said the response was ongoing and emphasized the city was managing the situation to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

If conditions change materially (new major breaks or a fire), the council said it would reassess and notify the public.