Copperas Cove crews race to fix water system as city delivers relief to residents
COPPERAS COVE, Texas (KWTX) — Residents in Copperas Cove remain without water after a water main break over the weekend led to additional issues with the city’s water system.
Over the weekend, a water main broke. After repairs were completed, another section of pipe burst. That pipe has since been fixed, but the city is not out of the woods yet, according to City Manager Ryan Haverlah.
“We are still trying to recharge our entire water system. There are a number of complications when it comes to recharging a water system as big and complex as we have,” Haverlah said.
The main problem now is an air lock in the system, Haverlah said.
“When you take a straw and you put it in water and you put your finger on the end of that straw and you pull it up, there’s still water in that straw. Well, the opposite occurs also when there’s air in that straw and you put your finger on it and put it in water, water’s not going to go into that straw,” Haverlah said.
Until crews locate the air lock and get water flowing again, the entire city is under a stage 4-C water restriction, the highest stage the city has.
Residents have been lining up at locations including the library and civic center, where the city is handing out water for drinking and flushing toilets.
Copperas Cove resident Steve Maher said the situation is affecting nearly the entire town.
“Well it’s horrible that it affects almost the whole town, if not the whole town. Our granddaughter’s affected. She’s over by City Park. My mother’s over here, she’s 85-years-old, she’s affected. So, I’m taking care of both of them and trying to make sure everybody’s happy,” Maher said.
Everyone in town is without water, so residents are collecting water for others as well as themselves.
Copperas Cove resident Randall Rhinesmith said he plans to deliver water to elderly neighbors.
“There are couple people that are elderly. They’re in their 90’s and I don’t think they have access to come out in their cars and stuff. So, I’m going to bring some water to them. I think they only allow you a couple bottles so, we’ll try to do that a couple times today,” Rhinesmith said.
City crews are working to locate the air lock but have not yet found it. Haverlah said that once it is located, it will take additional time to restore normal service.
“I think our public works team said it take anywhere from 10 to 12 hours to recharge our system to a level where all of our customers can use water regularly again,” Haverlah said.
City officials said they will continue efforts to provide water to residents until service is restored. The library distribution site, where residents can fill jugs for drinking and flushing, will remain open until midnight and reopen at 6 a.m.
Some residents have reported water flowing stronger than earlier in the day. The city said residents still need to conserve water until told otherwise, and a boil water notice remains in effect.