UPDATE: BISD schools to remain closed Wednesday, Dec. 10, as City struggles to fix water system problems
UPDATES: Both the City of Breckenridge and Breckenridge ISD have provided updates on the situation:
From Breckenridge Independent School District Superintendent Prairie Freeman:
Dear Buckaroo Families and Staff,
Out of an abundance of caution and due to the ongoing water situation in our community, school will be cancelled tomorrow, December 10th, for all Breckenridge ISD campuses.
While this is not a decision we make lightly, we must ensure that our students and staff have safe and reliable access to water throughout the school day. At this time, those conditions are not yet in place.
We will send an update tomorrow afternoon regarding plans for the following day so that families and staff have time to plan.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support as we work through this situation together. The safety and well-being of our students and staff will always be our top priority.
From Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrop:
“We are estimating that repairs on the Walker line will be completed later tonight. However, during the process of isolating the leak, a valve leading from the Water Treatment Plant was closed and subsequently found to be broken in the shut position. This valve is critical, as it controls the flow of water from the Water Treatment Plant to the towers that supply the community.
“We are currently working with a contractor to assess and repair the valve. At this time, we do not have an estimated completion time, as we must first determine which parts are required and how quickly they can be obtained.
“Restoring water service to residents remains our top priority. Crews and contractors will continue working around the clock to resolve this issue and restore normal system operations as quickly and safely as possible.
“We appreciate the community’s continued patience and understanding during this challenging situation.”
Original article:
By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
Busted water lines in Breckenridge drained both water towers today, for the third time this year. City employees are on the scene, working to repair the break, but at this time no estimated time for restored water service has been determined by City officials.
“Our goal is to have it done this evening, sometime,” City Manager Cynthia Northrop said. “And, then, we’ll test (the water) tomorrow. … (The testing) usually takes 24 to 48 hours.”
Even after the water service is restored, Breckenridge water customers will need to boil the water before to using it for things like cooking, washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.
Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department loaned a tanker full of water to the Breckenridge Fire Department to use in case of a fire during the water outage. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
A contractor installing fiber optic lines hit two eight-inch water lines, one at the corner of Walker Street and Baylor Avenue and one at Dunnigan and Baylor, this morning, Tuesday, Dec. 9, Northrop said. Additionally, there were at least three other leaks in the system at about the same time. At least two of the major leaks were caused by the same contractor, Northrop said.
The busted lines and loss of water pressure in the system led the City of Breckenridge to issue a mandatory boil water notice for the entire city. According to Northrop, the employees with the contractor are assisting with the repairs.
Two of the other leaks have been repaired, but water service to the community cannot be restored until the main busted pipe is repaired, Northrop said.
At about 4:15 p.m., she said the City was still trying to determine how far to the east that the pipe was split and whether or not they have the necessary parts on hand to repair it.
The Breckenridge Fire Department said there is no water for the hydrants, so Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department brought a large water truck to the BFD to be used in case of a fire. Additionally, each of the BFD trucks is equipped with its own water tank and pump.
Many homes and businesses in the community were without water this afternoon. The Stephens County Courthouse and the Chamber of Commerce are closed, and Breckenridge Independent School District closed the schools early, releasing students at 1 p.m. today. Likewise, Junior Buckaroo Academy child care closed early. Additionally, many restaurants in town closed due to not having water, including Blackhorse Mercantile & Cafe, Chicken Express, Antojitos El Tapatio, Familia’s, Subway, Sonic, the VFW and others. Alfredo’s is serving out of their food truck in the restaurant’s parking lot, and several other restaurants appear to still be open.
In true “the show must go on” fashion, the district middle school One Act Play competition is still taking place in Bailey Auditorium today. Breckenridge Junior High School Principal Laura Gibson said that West Texas Plumbing delivered portable toilets so that the contest could continue.
Click here to read the Boil Water Notice.
Contractors make sure the path is clear so that the water being pumped out of the hole can drain and allow repairs to be made to the broken water main in downtown Breckenridge. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: A City of Breckenridge employee checks the water flow after starting the pump to drain water from the hole created to provide access to a broken water line at the corner of Walker Street and Baylor Avenue. A contractor hit the main line, and both of the city’s water towers drained, for the third time this year, leading to residents and businesses with no water. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
