Leander water restrictions to tighten in preparation for pipeline replacement

Abigail Jones
·2 min read

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Leander is tightening its water restrictions next week to prepare for a pipeline replacement.

The city will move from Phase 2, which allows once-a-week watering, to Phase 4 starting on Monday, Feb. 12 to prepare for the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority pipeline replacement, which will reduce the city’s water treatment capacity, according to a release from the city.

In Phase 4, customers should turn off irrigation systems and limit all non-essential water usage.

BCRUA contractors will start replacing about 1,400 feet of 36-inch underwater pipeline that’s used to transport raw water from Lake Travis to the BCRUA water treatment plant, which is Leander’s primary source for potable water. Contractors are expected to complete the project by the first week of April, according to the city.

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The construction will require shutting down the water treatment plant, reducing Leander’s overall capacity of potable water from about 24 million gallons per day (MGD) to 9 MGD, the city said.

Leander will rely solely on its Sandy Creek water treatment plant during the pipeline replacement.

Leander will enter Phase 4 on Monday to reduce water demand before the project begins and will stay in the phase until BCRUA contractors complete the replacement.

According to the city, higher than 9 MGD water use could result in low water pressures and boil water notices. In January, Leander water customers averaged 8.6 MGD with a maximum usage of 11.7 MGD on Jan. 16.

Residential and commercial penalties for violating Phase 4 include:

  • First offense: Courtesy warning

  • Second and subsequent offenses: $1,000 fine and potential disconnection of water

City Council approved a resolution supporting temporary emergency water conservation actions. The city said it will implement items listed in the resolution as part of the Phase 4 transition, including a temporary halt to issuing new bulk meters, irrigation permits, and pool permits.

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