Pflugerville is officially in water-crisis mode after a key pipeline feeding raw water into Lake Pflugerville failed, sharply cutting the lake’s inflow and putting the city’s main supply at risk. The local disaster declaration, issued Wednesday, triggered Stage 3 emergency water restrictions at 5 p.m. and shifted most allowed water use to essential indoor needs while crews scramble to steady the system.
Mayor Doug Weiss signed the disaster declaration so the city can tap state emergency funding and technical help, and city officials warn that engineering forecasts show lake levels could dip below the city’s raw-water intake by April 18, threatening drinking water, sanitation, and firefighting capability. The shortfall has been labeled an “imminent threat,” and staff are working around the clock, according to Community Impact.
Stage 3 Restrictions Hit Outdoor Use
Under Stage 3 rules, residents and businesses on city water are barred from irrigating lawns, filling previously empty swimming pools, washing cars at home, installing new landscaping that needs irrigation, or hosing down driveways and sidewalks. Residential patio misters are still allowed, but commercial patio misters are off-limits, and Lake Pflugerville is closed to boating, swimming and fishing. The surrounding trail and playground remain open, according to KXAN.
Quick Patches While Bigger Fixes Move Forward
City crews are putting in a temporary bypass pipeline to get more water flowing back into the lake while permanent repairs are developed. The utility is also switching on additional wells and coordinating with Manville Water Supply Company to bolster supply, Community Impact reported.
This emergency arrives as Pflugerville advances a second raw-water line from the Colorado River. The Texas Water Development Board signed off last August on roughly $74.8 million for pump-station expansion and about 15 miles of new raw-water pipeline.
What The Rules Say And What It Might Cost You
Pflugerville’s drought-contingency ordinance ties each restriction stage to lake elevations and regional storage levels and gives the city manager power to roll out emergency measures. The municipal rules spell out enforcement and penalties; Stage 3 violations can bring fines of $1,500 to $2,000, and repeat violations can lead to water shutoffs or other penalties, according to the city code.
City leaders are urging residents to cut back immediately and, when possible, use commercial services that recycle water instead of running potable water at home. “If we all reduce water use now, we can help protect our supply and avoid more severe impacts. Every drop counts,” Mayor Weiss said in a news release, as reported by KXAN.
