Leander customers asked to reduce water use until April because of pipeline repairs

Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
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Residents and businesses in Leander are being asked to limit their water use through at least the first week in April because of the shutdown of a treatment plant for pipeline repairs.

The shutdown of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority water treatment plant on Monday has reduced the amount of water available by almost two-thirds, from 24 million gallons per day to 9 million gallons per day, according to a city news release.

The closure of a treatment plant that carries water from Lake Travis, above, to the city of Leander means residents and businesses are being asked to not do any outdoor watering at least through the first week of April.
The closure of a treatment plant that carries water from Lake Travis, above, to the city of Leander means residents and businesses are being asked to not do any outdoor watering at least through the first week of April.

The plant closed to replace about 1,400 feet of underwater pipeline that transports water from Lake Travis, the release said. Construction is expected to start on Wednesday and finish the first week of April.

The plant is the city's primary source for potable water, the release said. During construction, Leander will only receive water from its smaller Sandy Creek treatment plant, officials said.

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Daily water use in February in Leander has ranged from 6.8 million gallons per day to 8.4 million per day, the release said. If water demand exceeds 9 million gallons per day for two to three days or more, it could create low pressure in Leander's water system and potentially require a boil-water notice for all customers, the release said.

It said Leander water customers are required to turn off irrigation systems and limit all nonessential water use as required by the city's Phase 4 water conservation measures. The city initiated Phase 4 water conservation, which is no outdoor watering, on Feb. 12 to prepare for the shutdown of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority plant, the release said.

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Residential and commercial penalties for violating Phase 4 are a courtesy warning for the first offense and a $1,000 fine and a potential disconnect of water for second and all following offenses.

Leander will remain in Phase 4 until the pipeline replacement is completed, the release said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Leander water customers asked to reduce use due to pipeline repairs