My Creative Portfolio

By Alex Kielar

Originally published in the Breckenridge American

Breckenridge residents endured a city-wide water emergency this week after multiple major water line breaks left the community without access to water and prompted a local state of emergency. 

Mayor Bob Sims declared the emergency Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, authorizing additional resources through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to secure potable and non-potable water supplies. 

The crisis began Tuesday morning, Dec. 9 and continued through Friday, Dec. 12, when five leaks were reported across the system, according to City Manager Cynthia Northrop. That included major breaks at Wheeler, Dunnigan and Baylor and Walker and Baylor streets. Repairs were completed on Wheeler and Dunnigan/Baylor, but the Walker street line became the city’s top priority after crews discovered additional splitting further east. 

During efforts to isolate the leak, officials reported that a critical valve leading from the Water Treatment Plant was found broken in the closed position. That valve, which controlled the flow of water from the plant to the city’s towers, required contractors to work around the clock to assess and repair. 

By Wednesday, contractors from Raydon had expanded the dig area around the 10-foot-deep line and drained water to begin repairs, according to a report by Northrop to city officials and county partners Wednesday night. Parts sourced overnight were delivered around noon, and the city reported that the necessary water valve repairs had been thought to have been completed just past 8 p.m.

However, about an hour later, just after 9 p.m., the city reported that the water valve repair did not hold and contractors returned to the site first thing the next morning. 

The city issued a formal update outlining the next steps Thursday morning. Northrop reported that contractors had returned to the site at daybreak to excavate the line again and determine why the previous repair failed. 

“The first step was to ensure the repair held. It did not,” the update stated. “Crews worked through the morning to make the necessary fixes, with the city estimating that—barring any additional complications—water service could be restored by the end of the day.”

After working for several hours to determine why the repair failed, the city reported just after 2 p.m. Thursday that the repairs were officially completed and were holding. 

The process of re-pressurizing the water line then began, which took many hours to complete and get pressure back to all households, continuing into Friday morning, Dec. 12. 

During the process of bringing pressure back up, the city asked residents to turn on both indoor and outdoor faucets throughout the process, to help bleed less excess air from the lines and prevent potential plumbing issues as pressure was restored.

Once the full pressurization process completed, the city would then be able to lift the water boil notice upon getting samples returned and ensuring levels were normal. As of this writing Friday, Dec. 12, the boil water notice is still in effect.

Emergency Operations Command had also agreed to submit a State of Texas Assistance Request (STAR) for extra assistance, mainly potable water and portable showers to have on hand in case water was not restored by the end of day Thursday. 

Northrop emphasized the teamwork behind the effort. 

“Our city staff and field crews have been working around the clock and doing a great job,” she said. “The communication has been great with everybody, and we’ve been pulling together to get things done.”

Throughout the entire process, the city mobilized water distribution efforts beginning Wednesday, Dec, 10. By 1 p.m., the city reported that six pallets–420 cases– of bottled water had been handed out at Breckenridge City Park, exhausting the morning supply. Residents were limited to one case per household, while non-potable water for flushing toilets was available for those who brought their own containers. Portable toilets were also staged at the city park near the Trade Days building and at First Methodist Church. In addition, homebound residents were able to request delivery by calling the city’s non-emergency dispatch line, 254-559-2211.

By mid-afternoon Wednesday, three more pallets of bottled water were available at the city park, along with four pallets donated by the city of Clyde, being made available that evening. The American Red Cross of Wichita Falls was also en route with 33 cases of water, and United Supermarket confirmed it had bottled water in stock with an emergency truck scheduled to arrive later in the afternoon. 

In total, Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson reported 10 pallets had been distributed as of Wednesday evening– one case per household and two cases were distributed by the local volunteer fire departments and other volunteers to homebound residents who receive Meals on Wheels. 

By Thursday morning, the city reported that 17 pallets had been distributed the previous day, primarily at the City Park and at One Church on Walker Street. Two additional pallets were reserved for homebound residents and delivered through Meals on Wheels volunteers and local fire departments. The city said it expected to have 22.5 pallets available for distribution through Thursday, including 18 pallets supplied by United Supermarket. 

With the additional pallets, the combined effort was projected to reach 1,223 households. The city continued to provide water to residents through Friday as the process of returning water continued. Non-potable water continued to be provided by volunteer fire departments at multiple sites as well, including Stephens Memorial Hospital and Villa Haven, while portable toilets remained stationed at the City Park and First Methodist Church. 

“We had a challenge ahead of us, because we had a significant number of folks that called in and were looking for delivery,” Johnson said. “We had volunteers from the community as well as the volunteer fire departments that came through, and our fire department was doing a lot of picking up of water, going in and out of town.”

Water tankers were also stationed at the Breckenridge Fire Department, Stephens Memorial Hospital and the city park to ensure fire protection, patient care and residential access. The Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department also loaned a tanker to Breckenridge firefighters, who noted that hydrants were dry during the outage. 

The emergency rippled across Breckenridge. Stephens Memorial Hospital closed all non-essential services Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11, though its Emergency Department remained open 24/7. 

Breckenridge ISD also canceled school Wednesday after letting out at 1 p.m. Tuesday when the water situation first reared its head. Junior Buckaroo Academy had also shut down. BISD canceled school once again Thursday due to the repair not holding. 

Numerous businesses also had to close due to not having water beginning Tuesday afternoon, as well as the Stephens County Courthouse and the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce. Many restaurants closed their doors, while Alfredo’s continued to serve food from its food truck in the parking lot– as well as other restaurants with food trucks.

Meanwhile, the Breckenridge Junior High School One Act Play competition continued at Bailey Auditorium Wednesday, with portable toilets available provided by West Texas Plumbing. The Broncos performed an adaptation of “The Book of Everything.”

The Cowboy Christmas Parade scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11 was also postponed by the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce due to the water situation. They said in a comment on Facebook that they are going to do everything they can to make the event still happen and will announce the new date if and when one is determined.

With water service restored and pressure returning across the system, the city now awaits lab results needed to lift the boil water notice. BISD, businesses and medical facilities are preparing to resume normal operations, bringing an end to a week that tested the city’s infrastructure–and showcased the community’s ability to rally together under pressure–or lack thereof when it came to water pressure.