Full Notification

Statement on the Water System Issues in Clute
Wednesday February 17, 2021 at 4 PM
Q:          What prompted the Water situation that Clute is currently facing?
A:          BWA which provides approximately 80% of our potable water began having power issues on Sunday. By Sunday night they were completely converted to backup generator power. In order to keep pressure up in our system, the City augmented intermittent flows from BWA drawing down our Ground and Elevated Storage Tanks as temperatures dropped. As temperatures dropped and customers began to experience service line failures at exceptionally high rate. In one two-hour period last night Public Works crew members responded to more than 60 calls for voluntary disconnects.
              The loss of BWA’s supply combined with private service line failures and other leaks within the City’s system resulted in rapid draw down of storage capacity at one point that draw down was more than 100,000 gal in less than 30 minutes. Sometime after 2 AM Clute was ultimately informed that BWA’s backup generators were completely dead and it was determined that our own wells could not provide enough water at safe pressure leading to the current situation.
Q:          Doesn’t the City have generators to ensure that water from the wells continues flowing?
A:          Yes, in fact Clute has continuously operated its wells on generator power at full capacity. Even so, because of the draw down on water in the Elevated and Ground Storage Tanks, we cannot generate enough pressure to fully charge the system.
Q:          If the City can’t provide enough water through the water system why don’t the offer bottled, or other potable water supplies to the public?
A:          Clute and Lake Jackson have requested potable water resources through the County and to the State Operations Center; while those are pending approval, the State has explained that shipments of supplies and resources may be delayed due to dangerous roadways outside our immediate area.
Q:          Why do I have to boil my water?
A:          When the water system is fully charged (i.e. has adequate volume and a pressure level of at least 35 psi) disinfection is achieved through chlorine/ chloramine activation, unfortunately that process isn’t as effective when pressure drops below 35 psi and therefore boiling water provides the most effective means of eliminating biologic pathogens like bacteria.
Q:          How long can we expect to be under a Boil Water Notice?
A:          Residents and businesses should assume that the Boil Notice will last for several days. Even after pressure and volume are restored to the Water system, the water must be tested and vetted by an independent lab which given the current weather and power situation might be delayed.
Q:          What’s the timetable to get water supplies and pressures back up?
A:          We cannot say for sure; Clute is currently operating all of its wells at full capacity. Three of those wells are feeding directly into the system (i.e. flowing into your homes/ businesses) at greatly reduced pressure. The other well has been dedicated fully to trying to increase the storage capacity to the City’s Ground Storage Tank. Increasing the amount of water in storage is key to getting pressure restored and the system fully charged and operational. The City was informed about 2 PM today that BWA was back online with power and that their system and would begin sending water to Member Cities.
               BWA currently estimates that it will be pumping at full capacity within four to five hours. Once they reach full capacity the City will be able to use that water to charge the storage tanks which in turn will build pressure while the remaining ground water supply continues to provide water to the system. In the near term, the result will be more water in the system at very low pressure.
              If BWA continues to provide water at full volume, we estimate that full storage capacity at adequate pressure may be restored within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The true answer to any timetable for water capacity lies with our customers, the more conservative they are in using the water available, the more quickly the system will reach full capacity.
              In the interim, we ask that even when supply and pressure reach adequate levels, conservation measures be undertaken by everyone. Those steps may include:

• Ensuring that you check for all leaks including non-sealing flappers in toilets, under sinks and at external hose bibs.
• Placing a weighted empty plastic bottle in the tank of your toilet to reduce the numbers of gallons used when you flush.
• Take baths instead of showers.
• Shut off water in the event that you find a leak.
• The area will remain above freezing for the next 24 hours, as such please discontinue trickling water through faucets.
• Given the continuing power issues and chance for temperatures below freezing this weekend it might be a good idea to fill your bathtub Friday evening just in case.