Pflugerville Residents Face Strict Water Restrictions After Fifth Water Main Break
Pflugerville, Texas, residents are under Stage 3 water restrictions following a fifth water main break in the city’s system, leaving the water supply depleted. Even as repairs to the latest break were completed late Wednesday, the city remains in a “disaster water shortage emergency,” with serious limitations on water usage.
Lake Pflugerville: The City’s Primary Water Source
Lake Pflugerville is the primary water source for the city, a reservoir constructed between 2005 and 2006. The lake is human-made and relies entirely on water pumped from the lower Colorado River through a 16-mile pipeline. Recent breaks in this pipeline have significantly impacted the city’s water supply.
A Series of Breaks and Increasing Restrictions
The city experienced waterline breaks in September, November, and January. Restrictions were first implemented on March 1 with Stage 1 limitations, allowing outdoor watering only one day a week. However, the severity of the situation escalated after a fourth break was discovered in early February, taking over ten days to locate and repair. City officials reported that identifying this leak was “strenuous,” requiring excavation down 20-plus feet.
The latest break, discovered on Tuesday, was “easily accessible” and “quickly located,” according to the city. Despite the swift repair, the cumulative effect of the leaks has depleted the city’s water supply by hundreds of millions of gallons since September.
Stage 3 Restrictions: What Residents Need to Know
On March 4, Pflugerville Mayor Doug Weiss declared a “disaster water shortage emergency” and moved the city to Stage 3 restrictions. These restrictions remain in effect until Lake Pflugerville reaches a depth of 19 feet, a level not expected for more than two months, as the lake was at 17 feet as of Wednesday.
Under Stage 3, outdoor water use is severely limited. Residents are prohibited from:
- Irrigating lawns
- Filling swimming pools
- Washing cars
Limited exceptions are made for watering home foundations to prevent cracking. The city is also recommending residents catch rainwater, reuse water, take shorter showers, and delay laundry and dish cycles.
Enforcement and Future Plans
Non-compliance with the Stage 3 restrictions may result in a “formal warning” or fines ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 per occurrence. As of March 10, the Pflugerville Police Department had contacted 117 businesses and residents to educate them about the restrictions but had not issued any citations. City data shows customer water usage has decreased by over a million gallons per day since the restrictions were implemented.
Ahead of the latest leak, the city activated a local well typically reserved for peak summer demand and is purchasing water from the Manville Water Supply Corporation. Long-term plans include a new pump station and a 1.25 million gallon storage tank, currently in the design phase.
Lake Pflugerville Park Remains Open
Despite the water restrictions, Lake Pflugerville Park remains open, offering amenities such as a 3-mile hike and bike trail, playground, boat launch, and beach area.