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PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2010
Chisholm Trail Special Utility District provides water
service to over 6,100 homes in Williamson, Bell, and Burnet counties. Tropical Storm Hermine wreaked significant
damage to the District’s water system on Wednesday during the early morning
hours. In Bell County, about 200 homes north
of Florence including the Mountain Creek subdivision lost water service when a
bridge collapsed on the water line.
District crews searched for a leak for several hours before finding the
crushed line in the heavy flowing creek.
A temporary water service line was installed and water service was fully
restored late Thursday evening.
Additionally, a water line washed out in a creek crossing on Highway 183
near SH 29 and the San Gabriel River causing about 3000 homes to lose water
service on Wednesday. District crews
were able to repair the line and restore water service within 4 hours. Numerous other smaller system leaks were
repaired throughout the system, which covers more than 350 square miles.
The most significant damage to the District’s water system
came from the flooding of its main well site in Georgetown. All equipment was totally flooded out and a
350,000 gallon water storage tank was shifted from the rushing water through
the plant site. District officials
estimate it will take over 6 months to get the plant site back into
service. The well provides about
one-third of the District’s water to customers. Chisholm Trail is working with the City of
Georgetown to purchase additional surface water to make up for the lost
groundwater supply. The District has
reserve funds that will be used to rebuild the site as quickly as possible.
Chisholm Trail employs a total of 18 employees, which
includes a field staff of only 10. The
field crew has worked around the clock to restore and maintain water service to
an estimated population of over 18,000.
Water restrictions were lifted on November 22, 2010. District staff is available during office
hours to answer questions by calling (254) 793-3103.
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