Uptick in water main breaks in Texas
9/12/2023 12:40:45 PM
CATEGORIES:
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Society & Public Health
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Texas
Bexar County, TX
San Antonio, TX
Harris County, TX
Houston, TX
Midland County, TX
Midland, TX
Travis County, TX
Austin, TX
Webb County, TX
Laredo, TX
Wichita County, TX
Wichita Falls, TX
Start Date: 6/1/2023
- End Date: 8/31/2023
The hottest summer ever recorded by many Texas cities, combined with intense drought, has led to millions of dollars of damage to municipal pipes and the loss of large quantities of water. Numerous cities have asked residents to conserve water as crews work to stem the widespread leaks.
“The intense heat and drop in annual rainfall have dried up the soil, causing a shift in water lines,” said a spokesperson for the city of Houston. “When the pipes shift, the pipe joints can break, causing water leaks.”
Houston has been receiving 500 calls per week about water leaks, up from 300 this time last year, when drought was less intense.
In San Antonio, the number of water main breaks averaged about 470 per month from January through June, and then leapt to 725 in July and 1,076 in August amid intense heat.
Laredo, Austin, Midland and Wichita Falls have also had sharp increases in water main breaks.
The Texas Tribune (Austin), Sept 8, 2023
Sources
