07/29/2026
Wednesday 7/29/26 1:00pm Update
Reduced reservoir turbidity levels allowed treatment operations to resume at 12:30am this morning, with treated, finished water being sent into the distribution system until 5:00am. Treatment had to again be temporarily suspended due to a second wave of turbidity within the Heffner Reservoir, which lasted until 8:00am. Treatment resumed at 9:00am and is currently ongoing, with water again being sent into the distribution system. Turbidity levels in the reservoir remain variable, volatile, and inconsistent.
Due to the plant being taken offline on Tuesday, 7/28, despite the Authority’s calls for customers to conserve water, the system still consumed 1.9 million gallons of treated, finished water. As of 1:00pm today, the Authority has only been able to replenish a fraction of that consumption. Unfortunately, the Authority is going to be in “catch-up” mode for several days.
All customers are urged, again, to conduct urgent water conservation efforts immediately to allow the system to replenish as soon as possible. This remains critical: every gallon saved now directly shortens how long the catch-up period lasts. The finished, treated water being supplied within the distribution system is totally safe. There is no current requirement for a boil water advisory.
Tuesday’s storm was unprecedented: 4.81 inches of rain fell at the Water Treatment Plant location, and the Heffner Reservoir rose 4 feet in just 6 hours. Iron levels in the raw reservoir water were 5 times normal, and turbidity levels were nearly 200 times normal. This was a storm of historic proportions.
The Authority appreciates your continued cooperation and patience. Your health is very important to us, and it is exactly why the treatment plant is shut down whenever turbidity levels exceed the plant’s treatment capability. Please continue to conserve water until further notice.
