Press Release
Reduced Water Supply during Critical Project Completions
Two projects planned and funded to bring about improved reliability and enhanced resiliency are nearing completion and will require a shut down of the 48-inch line to make final connections. This water main delivers approximately 2/3rds of the total water supply to the Cities of Nolanville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove along with the 439 Water Supply Corporation and Fort Cavazos.
On April 24, 2024 a bid was awarded to McLean Construction, Killeen, Texas to construct approximately 5,000 feet of 54-inch steel pipeline parallel and adjacent to the problem riddled section of 48-inch concrete steel cylinder pipe. Since the 48-inch pipe was originally installed in 1975, there have been several main breaks resulting in reduced water supply to the approximate 265,000 population served by this system. All but one line rupture occurred within a 5,000-foot section of the pipeline near North Nolan Road on the east side of the Fort Cavazos Military Reservation. The new steel pipe section is complete except for the connections to the existing 48 inch on either end as shown in Figure 1 below.
The other project is the construction of a 3-million-gallon concrete storage tank a few miles west of the parallel line construction. This bid was awarded to DN Tanks at the April 2024 WCID #1 Board Meeting also. This project also requires a shutdown of the 48 to make the necessary connections to the transmission main as shown below in Figure 2.
Please Reduce Water Use
Toward the end of May, Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #1 will be initiating Stage 3 of its Drought Contingency Plan seeking at least a 30% reduction in water usage. The district will be asking all of its customers to implement the stage of their own Drought Contingency Plans that will result in at least a 30% reduction in water use. This curtailment could last up to 4 days while contractors make the critical connections and welds as described herein. During the time water is shut down on the 48-inch line, water delivery from the Belton Water Treatment Plant will be from a 24-inch line and a 30-inch line. If water usage from residents and businesses is reduced enough, a boil water advisory may not be necessary. However, if water usage depletes storage levels, then a mandatory boil order will be issued for public health and safety and the District will implement Emergency Water Demand Measures for water delivery as shown in our Drought Contingency Plan. The Pro Rata Allocation from this portion of the Conservation Plan will be used as a guide for reporting reduced usage during the shutdown period. “Every wholesale contract entered into by Bell County Water Control and Improvement District #1 shall include the provision that in case of a shortage of water resulting from drought, the water to be distributed shall be divided in accordance with Texas Water Code Section 11.039.”
A subsequent press release will be issued as more details regarding specific shutdown time become available.
Updates will be posted to the Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #1 website daily until water service is fully restored and the Stage 3 restrictions are lifted.
Several water saving tips are available at www.wcid1.org. For more information contact Bell County WCID #1 General Manager Ricky Garrett at (254) 501-9243 or send email to [email protected].