As the City of Leander gears up for substantial upgrades to its water treatment infrastructure, residents are bracing for a significant shift in water usage protocols. According to a statement obtained by CBS Austin, starting December 30, the city will transition from Phase 2 to Phase 4 Water Conservation. This measure is set to support the upcoming Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) pipeline upgrade that commences on January 13, 2025.
The precarious balance between necessity and conservation has never been more evident as the city reports water use this past weekend soared above 9 million gallons per day (MGD) — with 10.5 MGD on Friday, December 20, and 9.8 MGD on Saturday, December 21, according to CBS Austin. In response, the City of Leander issued a press release detailing the urgency of staying below the 9 MGD threshold as the smaller Sandy Creek Water Treatment Plant takes on the full load during the BCRUA shutdown, to prevent low water pressure and potential boil water advisories.
Meanwhile, FOX 7 Austin reports that this transition to Phase 4 predates the shutdown by two weeks, a strategic move to acclimate residents to the lower usage requirements. Phase 4 is the most stringent level under the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, and this isn't the first time Leander has had to enforce it, having previously enacted these restrictions in February when over a thousand feet of pipeline to the BCRUA Water Treatment Plant was replaced.
The upgrade projects include the installation of a 78-inch butterfly valve and connections for a Phase 2 Deep Water Intake, which will eventually bolster the city's water treatment capacity by an additional 12 MGD. "The city says this upgrade will allow for future plant expansion to provide Leander with an additional 12 MGD of water treatment capacity," FOX 7 Austin reported.
Under Phase 4 regulations, all outdoor watering is prohibited, including handheld watering, and residents are called upon to cease using irrigation systems and limit all non-essential water usage. Potential violations of these restrictions carry stiff penalties, from warnings to fines up to $1,000, and even emergency disconnection of water service. "First offense – Courtesy warning, Second and subsequent offense – $1,000 fine and potential emergency disconnection of water," according to FOX 7 Austin. The city relies on its citizens to report any infractions to its Code Enforcement division.
While the upgrades are bound to create temporary challenges for the citizens of Leander, they are seen as a crucial step for ensuring the future sustainability and reliability of the city's water infrastructure. As residents prepare for these stricter conservation measures, the city urges them to remain informed and compliant to facilitate a smoother transition during the upcoming BCRUA pipeline upgrade.
