Town of Ponder

08/27/2026

I’ve worked within Municipal Government for many years. What a lot of people within communities don’t know is the fact every single day Town workers face a crisis of some sort. Whether it’s water, roads, equipment, fires, police, emergency management, budgets or a litany of other challenges presented. What I’ve learned over the years is how we respond is what matters most. People matter. Taking care of our community is what matters. Here’s a further secret… Most people who work in Municipal Government are motivated and receive joy from making a positive difference with those we serve. Living into a Servant’s Heart is our sincere pleasure on a daily basis. What I’ve had the opportunity over the past few days to witness has been incredible. Though we had a crisis, it quickly became an opportunity for people to show incredible kindness to your Town Staff, and more importantly- each other. Churches and people from all walks of life set up tables in their own yards to provide water for those in need. I watched a church group set up a water distribution station at a park that quickly became a community football game, complete with all the fellowship on the sidelines. How the schools rallied to make sure our kiddos were taken care of… I could go on, but I think you get the point. Sometimes crisis is the opportunity we need to remind us all of what really matters most- each other. Your staff would like to convey we were all humbled by the kindness, patience, and words of encouragement we all received while restoring services (especially Mrs. Guthrie!). We would also like to thank Mayor McGregor and the Town Council for your help and assistance. You all really showed who and what Ponder is all about!

Blessings,
F.C. Tillman
Town Administrator

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

August 26th, 8:00 PM:

As of the time of this post, lab results are still pending. The Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Until such time as the notice is lifted, customers are advised to boil water from the Town of Ponder water system prior to consumption.

Please keep in mind, we are still in the middle of August. With this being the hottest time of year, and with dry conditions resulting in a countywide burn ban, we simply ask to keep water conservation in mind. Outdoor watering should comply with our town ordinances, not only to follow the rules, but out of respect for our neighbors. Please help us by keeping water use to a minimum.

I have read several comments and posts about ongoing water issues with customers. I want to remind anyone experiencing problems to contact our Town Staff directly. Posting on social media is not monitored, and that message will not be received. Call them at 940-479-7010 to report problems.

The Town of Ponder will send out updates as quickly as the notice is lifted. Until then, we are at the mercy of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidelines.

08/25/2026

8:30 PM Update:

I was just advised by Town Administrator Fred Tillman the entire Ponder Water System has had pressure restored. This should mean water pressure has returned to normal levels.

Consuming the water is not advisable until the Boil Water Notice is lifted. Want to know what to do? Here is a link to a page on the TCEQ website: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/notices/bwn/understanding-bwns

If you are still experiencing water pressure issues, please contact our On Call Personnel at 940-479-7010.

I will continue to monitor this thread for questions, but any new information or updates will be posted in a new thread.

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7:15 PM Update:

This is far from over for our community. As posted at 2 PM, and as alluded to in my 6 PM update, the system has not been fully restored. The repairs have been made fully. (100%)

Not everyone has water back yet. Crews are still out flushing lines, getting air and sediments out of the system, and reestablishing service by opening valves that were previously turned off.

We are still under an active Boil Water Notice. Directions for use and consumption are listed in the notice the Town of Ponder posted on their page, as well as online.

Panicking on Facebook does not help. Simply call our On Call team at 940-479-7010 for assistance. If they don’t answer, leave a message. They are still out in the field working on this.

If you need drinking water, Ponder Fire Department has cases of water available for pickup as well.

I’m exhausted, and I’m very proud of our town and our staff. They are not finished working.

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6:00 PM Update:

Landmark Community Church was gracious enough to hand out water at Re*****on Park. Thank y’all for loving on !

Repairs are 100% complete. Lines are being flushed. Everything appears clear so far, but we are still on a Boil Water Notice until Texas Commission on Environmental Quality gives us an “All Clear.” Please continue to boil your water as the town notice directs.

Westwood Professional Services (Clay) is still on site until the system is fully restored. Thankful for a great partnership with our Town Engineering firm!

Our Public Works Director, Lane Cheek, and his Public Works team have performed beyond expectations with this event. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

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2:00 PM Update:

Pressures are slowly increasing. The secondary repairs are being finalized. Water storage tanks are being filled as staff continue flushing efforts across the system.

Bottled drinking water is available at a drive-up donation station at Ponder Junior High. Milestone Church showed up in a big way for our community, bringing 8 pallets of water and volunteers to help load it in cars. coming together!

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10:45 AM Update:

The town contractor has installed a valve isolating the second water leak. That crew will continue working to fully repair the damaged pipes under the roadway.

Public Works teams are currently working to pressurize the water system. Next steps will include systematically flushing water lines for health and safety reasons. Crews will be out flushing lines in the community.

The Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Bottled drinking water is available at our donation stations.

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8:45 AM Update:

Our town contractor is continuing to isolate and repair the second leak. They estimate this part of the repair to take 4-6 hours. This is the immediate plan for getting water pressure restored.

Two Water Distribution locations are being established. A case of water will be delivered to Ponder Volunteer Fire Department at noon.

Ponder Police Officer Culwell is establishing another distribution location on the west side of Ponder Junior High, in the west parking lot area.

Please follow the Town of Ponder page and share the information with neighbors.

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6:45 AM Update:

Crews worked through the night to repair and install new pipe. As they turned the water back on, an additional leak under the road was discovered. We are currently on site working to isolate that section of pipe.

Water pressure is still not restored. We are seeing more water flowing, which means ground storage tanks are beginning to fill up. Unfortunately that does not provide any relief at the moment.

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10:45 PM Update:

Work crews have reached the damaged pipe section. They are working on getting the area cleared around it to get it replaced. The goal is to have this replaced in the next several hours and work on having water pressure restored by morning.

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9:45 PM Update:

Water flow has been isolated. City of Justin was gracious enough to help provide additional pumps and equipment. A third party contractor, our town engineering firm, and all of our available Town of Ponder Public Works employees are on site. They are placing trenching/shoring equipment shortly to get down in the hole to get to the pipe.

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8:45 PM Update:

This morning, our wells were recovering from a large amount of water used yesterday to fight fires. That and booster pumps not kicking on behind Re*****on caused low water pressure. Separate issue this morning.

Then, this afternoon, a water line on FM 2449 near Re*****on Park was struck by the gas line contractor. This caused a massive loss of water from the town water system. That caused the natural water pressure coming from the elevated storage tank to drain.

A crew with a large pump was requested to get the water out of the hole so they can see to repair the water pipe. The Public Works Director and his staff are turning off valves to isolate the water loss.

I’m currently at Town Hall with staff working on regulatory notices, emergency management communications, and emergency planning. We were here for a budgeting meeting when this happened.

I briefly left to go tell school officials who were in the middle of their school board meeting. We notified them in person. That resulted in them sending out notification that school is closed tomorrow.

There is not a known time for this to be fixed. And once water starts coming back, it needs to be boiled before drinking it.

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7:32 PM Update:

Due to the gas line contractor on site puncturing a water line, a Boil Water Notice is being issued for the Town of Ponder Water System. Public Works Crews are actively working to restore water pressure.

Still no current ETA on restoring pressure at this time.

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Crews are on site working on this. It’s affecting Re*****on and other customers along Robinson Rd. No current estimated time for repair.

08/25/2026

BOIL WATER NOTICE
Town of Ponder
Public Water System (PWS ID: 0610039)
Date: August 24, 2026

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Town of Ponder public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption.

On August 24, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m., a contractor struck a water main causing a loss of pressure within the Town of Ponder Elevated Water Storage Tank. The water loss resulted in a below mandated pressure of 20 P.S.I.

Due to these conditions that occurred in the public water system, the water supplied by this public water system may have lost adequate disinfection and may contain harmful microbes. These microbes can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions:

What Should I Do?

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two (2) minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from another suitable source for drinking, cooking, and ice making purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).

Who Is Affected?

This notice applies to all customers served by the Town of Ponder water system.

Corrective Actions

The Town of Ponder is taking the necessary corrective actions to restore adequate disinfection and water quality. Once the issue has been resolved, the water system will collect and submit required water quality samples to TCEQ. When testing confirms that the water is safe to drink, customers will be notified that the boil water notice has been lifted.

For More Information

If you have questions regarding this notice, contact:
Town of Ponder Water Department
Phone: 940-479-2396
Email: [email protected]

Address: 102 W. Bailey
Ponder, TX. 76259

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly, including people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses.

Issued by: Town of Ponder
Date/Time Issued: August 24, 2026

08/24/2026

💧 WATER LEAK NOTICE
The Town of Ponder has been made aware of a water leak near Robinson Road and FM 2449.

Town crews are on-site now investigating the leak and working to determine the extent of the issue. At this time, there is no estimated time for repairs.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while crews work to address the situation. We will provide an update as soon as additional information becomes available.

07/31/2026

TxDOT contractors have begun an asphalt repaving project on FM 156, stretching from US 380 down to Swafford Road.

Area motorists should anticipate heavy traffic delays throughout the day. Drivers are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid congestion.
The repaving operations are scheduled to continue until 8:00 PM tonight.

The Town of Ponder appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents and commuters as state crews work to improve this regional thoroughfare. Please drive slowly and exercise extreme caution when traveling through the construction zone for the safety of the workers.