Full Notification

The City has issued a Boil Order for the residents in the Lake Bixhoma Estates area (Only) and Resident Flyer with additional information.

During restoration of water supply to the Bixhoma Lake service area, the City will be issuing updates to customers via social media outlets and the Nixle notification system.  For those without social media accounts or for those who prefer direct messaging, the City encourages residents to sign up by texting 74008 to 888777 or on the City of Bixby Website (bixbyok.gov) for notifications and alerts.
The City also requests that residents reach out and share the sign-up information with friends and neighbors, particularly those that may have limited internet access. 

Lake Bixhoma Area Resident Update

Dear Resident:

As the City of Bixby nears completion of the system modifications necessary to restore water service to your neighborhood, the following measures are scheduled for implementation over the next several days.

City Action – System Disinfection

Before returning the system to full service, the Storage Tank and lines that were emptied will be disinfected.  During this time, the City will be dosing the system with significantly higher levels of chlorine than usual and systematically flushing the distribution lines.  Flushing is expected to occur at fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood beginning late Friday through Saturday.
During initial line charging, City crews will close meter services.  Once the line pressures have equalized, and air has been purged as much as possible, meter services will be re-opened for customer use.  

Customer Action – Boil Order

During this phase, and until Tuesday, July 26^th, a boil order will be in effect.  The boil order guidelines are outlined in a separate document that is being issued along with this information sheet.
Once the meters are re-opened, customers are advised to slowly open the faucets to bleed air and avoid water hammer. Once open, kitchen and bathroom taps should be flushed one at a time for a minimum of 10 minutes each.

Background – Service Interruption

During high temperature periods last summer, residents experienced service interruptions related to high usage in upstream areas of the distribution system beginning in South Tulsa.  This high usage translates into lower water pressures and volumes available for pumping into the Bixhoma Lake area system.  In response, crews were able to mitigate the issues by operational adjustments.  The transmission line serving the Bixhoma Storage Tank was isolated south of the Arkansas River and dedicated to providing water only to the Bixhoma Storage area.
This summer, with higher temperatures over a longer period in conjunction with unexpected and exceptional water withdrawals made, those same operational strategies were not sufficient to restore service.  Isolating the transmission line both north and south of the Arkansas River as well as purging air pockets introduced during Tank and line emptying did not provide enough improvement to overcome upstream supply pressure deficiencies.  

Interim Action Plan

In order to address both flow and pressure, the City has contracted with a fabricator to re-purpose back-up potable water pumps on hand and construct a booster pump station that will be sufficient to meet demands until the permanent booster station is complete.  This pump will be in-service and providing water both during and after the disinfection period.  

Long Range Action Plan

Beginning last summer, preparations for a permanent booster pump station were made so that they could be implemented at the beginning of the next fiscal year, FY ’23.  The construction budget for the permanent booster pump was approved, beginning earlier this month, on July 1, 2022.  On July 11, 2022 the City Council awarded the contract for acquisition and construction of the permanent booster pump station.  Under current economic and supply conditions, it is anticipated that it will be supplied for installation later this fall. 

City Emergency Response

Since last Wednesday, City Staff and crews have been working to diagnose the system and evaluate operational and equipment strategies to restore service as soon as possible.  Identifying and stopping unprecedented, unauthorized water usage

• Initiate and continue system data collection – tank levels, pressures, and water usage
• Inspecting the system for line breaks
• Provide potable water, restroom, and shower facilities for residents
• Coordinate with Tulsa on evaluation system operational data
• Progressive isolation of the Mingo transmission line to provide dedicated service to south and east Bixby only
• Air purging operations
• Provide status updates (web and social media) –  https://www.facebook.com/BixbyCity
• Develop and coordinate with ODEQ on Interim Water Supply Plan
• Design, bid, and initiate fabrication of an interim booster pump station

The City of Bixby recognizes the impact on daily life that has resulted from service disruption and appreciates your patience while we worked to gather data to assess the problems and provide both short term and long term solutions.  The Public Works Department has been working non-stop since the beginning of this emergency and will continue to focus on restoring service until conditions return to normal. 

WARNING PRECAUTIONARY BOIL ADVISORY 

Water System Name: City of Bixby
Public Water Supply ID: OK3007243  
Due to Loss of Pressure (problem) in the water system and the potential for contamination as a result of this situation, the drinking water supplied by  City of Bixby may be unsafe for human consumption. As a precaution, it is advised that the consumers of this water system bring the water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, consumption, food preparation, baby formula preparation, dish washing, tooth brushing, ice making, wound care, and bathing infants who may ingest bath water. Alternatively, bottled water or another acceptable water source may be used. Important Note: This precautionary boil advisory is not related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and it is important to continue to wash your hands during the precautionary boil advisory. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Comments: The Boil Order is in effect until July 26th, 2022 unless modified by written notice.. This advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Questions concerning this situation should be addressed to Bea Aamodt, PW Director  (name) at 918-366-4430 (phone). Address of the PWS: 116 West Needles Ave , Bixby, OK 74008 County: Tulsa. Further general information can be found on the DEQ website: www.deq.ok.gov