The City of Houston is grappling with a critical challenge in public infrastructure: water leaks are springing up faster than repairs can be addressed. Gaps in the public system are causing delays that span days and even weeks.
In an investigation by KPRC 2, it was discovered that Houston Public Works has fallen behind on fixing water leaks, with the current average repair time at four weeks, a fact not made easier by the scarcity of labor. The city has been overwhelmed by over 30,000 calls for water leaks between June and December of 2023. Resident Andrew Leva told KPRC 2, "I’ve called three times," adding, "We’re all paying for this water." Carolyn Daniels’ experience with a gushing fire hydrant in Kingwood underscores the situation: a Public Works employee acknowledged a leak on December 19, but despite the immediate response, it took until December 29 before the leak was fixed.
Moreover, recent scandal has complicated matters further, with the cancellation of all emergency repair contracts after the exposure of a water department maintenance manager providing contracts to unqualified friends and family members. Documents obtained by KPRC 2 reveal the implicated manager was terminated from her position, with the investigation carrying on.
At a recent city council meeting, covered by ABC13, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Public Works officials addressed the prolonged wait times for water leak repairs. "I hear, and I feel your frustration that there is water running down the street when we are telling you not to water your yard," expressed Carol Haddock, director of Houston Public Works. Furthermore, the city has sought the aid of third-party contractors to alleviate the burden on city crews, with Public Works Chief Operating Officer Randy Macchi revealing they've engaged a total of 12 contractors to assist.
Both agencies reinforce that citizens should persist in reporting any leaks unaddressed. Macchi stressed the importance of communication with the department: "When you see something, please report it. Don't assume that somebody else has already reported it. We're not afraid for you to send in multiple requests for the same week. But I would also say this. If you see something get worse, please call again because we do have prioritization on this," he urged Houston residents in a statement obtained by ABC13.
