As Breckenridge enters Day 3 of water crisis, crews work to repair pipeline, distribute water to community
By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
Crews continue to work today, Thursday, Dec. 11, on repairing the City of Breckenridge pipelines that have created a three-day water outage for the community.
“My understanding is they’re going to replace that clamp, they’re going to re-pressure it up, make sure the repair holds, and then we’re going to pressure up the system. And that can take up to three hours,” Cynthia Northrop, Breckenridge City Manager, told the Breckenridge Texan this morning.
In a news release issued shortly before noon, Northrop said, “We expect to have water restored by the end of the day, barring any other unforeseen issues. After water service is restored, additional time will be needed to collect and process samples required to lift the Boil Water Notice.”
City staff distribute cases of bottled water in the Breckenridge City Park this morning. The City plans to have 22.5 pallets of water to hand out today. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
In the meantime, the City continues to provide bottled water for drinking and cooking and non-potable (non-drinkable) water for uses such as flushing toilets. The water is being distributed at the City Park. Residents are being asked to enter through West Hullum and Old Caddo Road. Those wanting the non-drinking water are asked to bring receptacles for the water; that can include water jugs, buckets, ice chests, anything that will hold water.
Northrop said that 17 pallets of bottled water were distributed on Wednesday and two pallets were reserved for homebound residents and distributed through Meals on Wheels volunteers and volunteer firefighters.
“Our Volunteer Fire Departments are providing and distributing non-potable water for residents at our City Park, as well as stationing at other locations, including Stephens Memorial Hospital, Villa Haven and reserving for Fire Department use for fires,” she said in the news release. “Portable toilets are stationed at City Park and the (First) Methodist Church. We have (will have) 22.5 pallets of water (4.5 on hand and 18 coming from United Supermarket) stationed at City Park today as well as non-potable water for residents. Several organizations and businesses have reached out to help and have helped, including Red Cross, City of Clyde, private citizens, food banks, and other non-profit organizations.”
Breckenridge’s residents and businesses are in the third day without water, following a busted water main in downtown Breckenridge that drained both towers on Tuesday morning. During the initial repair process, as crews were isolating the leak, a valve leading from the Water Treatment Plant was closed and subsequently found to be broken in the shut position, preventing the water towers from being refilled. Repairs made while replacing the valve on Wednesday did not hold, and the towers could not be refilled last night.
Early Wednesday morning, Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims declared a state of emergency for the city of Breckenridge due to the problems.
Northrop said that the City is submitting a Texas STAR (State of Texas Assistance Request) request for assistance but that for now the City is buying the water that is being distributed to the public. Additionally, on Wednesday, Stephen Steele, the Mayor of the City of Clyde, delivered four pallets of water that were donated by Blake Fulenwider, Judge Nicki Harle, Wise Street Helpers, and the City of Clyde for the Breckenridge community.
The water outage has affected the entire community. Many businesses, especially restaurants, salons and other operations that use a lot of water, have closed. Stephens Memorial Hospital and the Breckenridge Medical Center closed on Wednesday and continues to be closed today, Thursday, Dec. 11. The Emergency Room at the hospital is open for emergencies only.
The Chamber of Commerce has postponed the annual Christmas Parade, which was scheduled for this evening, explaining that City workers are essential to helping make the parade happen by closing streets and other duties. With the City staff focused on resolving the water situation, the Chamber decided that it is in the best interest of the community to postpone the event. In order to reschedule the parade, the Chamber will have to get another Texas Department of Transportation permit to close the streets for the parade.
Breckenridge Independent School District canceled classes for today, Dec. 11, as they did for Wednesday. Additionally, all on-campus activities have been canceled.
“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the City Crews, City Staff, Contractors, Stephens County, BISD, Stephen’s Memorial Hospital, Villa Haven, the Volunteer Fire Departments (Hubbard Creek and Wayland), Stephens Regional Water District and charitable organizations, local businesses, individuals who have stepped up to help, and to all residents who continue to show patience, understanding, and grace during this unfortunate situation,” Northrop said in the news release. “We are grateful for community that comes together in challenging times and shows the strength of our community. Ensuring residents have the essential resources (potable and non-potable water) they need remains our highest priority as we continue local efforts to identify additional resources. We appreciate the patience, cooperation, and resilience shown by every resident and business throughout the City. We ask that everyone continue to support one another as we work through this situation together.”
Cutline, top photo: Residents line up this morning, Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Breckenridge City Park to pick up cases of bottled water from the City of Breckenridge during the water crisis. Non-potable (not-drinkable) water is also available for uses such as flushing toilets. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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