Dear Neighbors,
This is not the update I wanted to write, but I believe you deserve transparency. It is my responsibility to inform you and communicate candidly what I know in a timely manner, especially when we are confronted with multiple crises as a city and a state.
Austin Water Update
The current situation for water service and supply is deteriorating and Austin Water just issued a water boil notice for the whole city. The Ulrich plant lost power this afternoon and officials are working to get that central plant back in service. At the moment, Austin Water is unable to meet customer demand. A combination of main breaks, pipes bursting on private property, and lots of water use has created the challenge. Some hospitals are low on water or experiencing related issues and resources have been mobilized to aid them.
When demand exceeds supply of water, we face two key problems. First, we may need to boil water because maintaining the quality of the water depends on a steady flow. Second, we may lose water service altogether or experience reduced water pressure in some areas as supply plummets relative to demand across the system. Conservation plays a key role in fixing this imbalance.
Here is what Austin Water themselves are communicating and what they are asking of AW customers:
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As a result of the extreme weather conditions, a city-wide boil water notice has been issued due to power loss at The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, Austin Water’s largest water treatment facility, and drops in water pressures below minimum standards.
We worked with Austin Energy to quickly assess our system and restore power and are in the process of bringing Ullrich Water Treatment Plant back online.
Any water recovered from plumbing systems should be boiled before drinking or cooking with it following the guidelines at www.austintexas.gov/page/boil-water-notice-and-faqs
To report a water or wastewater emergency, report a leak or main break, fill out the Leak Report Web Form at https://www.austintexas.gov/page/austin-water-issue-report-form
Official Notice Language
A city-wide boil water notice has been issued due to power loss at The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, Austin Water’s largest water treatment facility, and drops in water pressures below minimum standards. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Austin Water to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
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 for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, Austin Water will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, Austin Water will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
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This is a system-wide issue that demands action across the city and I remind you that earlier this afternoon Austin Water called on customers to take action to conserve water immediately. To avoid additional impacts to water service, such as impacts to fire protection or widespread lack of water service, Austin Water is immediately requiring mandatory conservation measures:
Limit water use to essential needs;
Now that temperatures are rising, turn off dripping faucets indoors and outdoors;
Delay the use of appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers;
Report water main breaks to Austin Water at 512-972-1000;
If pipes at your home or business have burst, stop water waste by turning off your water at the property-owners cut-off valve. If you are unable to locate your property-owners cut-off valve or if it won’t work, then call Austin Water at 512-972-1000 for assistance with turning off your water.
If you need to communicate a major broken water line, no water, or other water emergency, please see if a report has already been made using our Water Leak Response Map and if you have not been able to reach Austin Water using their phone line, you can make a report about that issue using this linked form: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/austin-water-issue-report-form. We know the wait times for reaching Austin Water by phone are lengthy.
Thank you to those who are stepping up and helping your neighbors turn off their water supplies when faced with a broken pipe or other issue. The number of burst pipes means that it takes time for Austin Water to arrive.
Power Outage Update
Earlier today I was on a call with Austin Energy and other council members. Today, 52 circuits were restored.
At the time of writing, rotating outages have not yet begun. Circuits AE restores could be rotated depending on ERCOT’s load request, demand on the grid overnight, and power supply levels. Customers who get power back should expect to be without power for around 10 minutes during a rotation once rotations begin (assuming they begin). Depending on how many circuits are back in play, that will determine how long the next rotation will come back to you.
Some areas of District 10 have been without power effectively since last Thursday. I have made it clear to Austin Energy leadership that those situations are critical, and they must be prioritized. The weather impacts are ongoing, and at this time I do not have the specific information to communicate which streets in this area are out due to ERCOT restrictions or to damage to the lines from the severe weather conditions.
With continued bad weather, we will see tree limbs falling on lines and some power will go out due to that and some areas may not see their power restored as a consequence. We are aware that there are again disconnects between the outage map and what you’re seeing in your neighborhood or home and we have reported these problems to Austin Energy to address.
If you have power, please try to live as if you do not. Do anything you can to reduce your energy usage (including gas). If you have heat, run it as low as you are able. Use only the lights you need. Use a single light (or a flashlight, or candles) rather than lighting a whole room or home. Do not use any appliances unless they are absolutely necessary. If you do not have power, please unplug all devices so that when power is restored your circuit will not be overwhelmed and lead to another outage.
Today I was disappointed to hear reports of rocks and other items being thrown at Austin Energy crew members. It is wrong to accost or insult first responders working in extremely hazardous conditions in order to bring power safely back to Austin. Many of these workers have been on duty for many days straight without rest. Please treat them kindly.
Warming shelters
The City of Austin and Travis County have established the following centers for members of the public. If you can safely shelter at your home, please do so. We must preserve these limited spaces for those who are vulnerable and have medical equipment that require power to operate. If you plan to travel to these sites, please be prepared to arrive at your destination safely – dress in layers for warm, bring extra blankets, phone chargers, water, and snacks.
Lee Elementary School, 3308 Hampton Road: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Murchison Middle School, 3700 North Hills Dr.: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road
Downtown Salvation Army Shelter, 501 E. 8th Street: Families should report here. Use Capital Metro bus routes 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10.
Del Valle High School, 5201 Ross Road
Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Drive
Webb Middle School, 601 E. St Johns Ave
Reilly Elementary School, 405 Denson Drive
Joslin Elementary School, 4500 Menchaca Road: Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Barrington Elementary School, 400 Cooper Dr.: Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Austin Disaster Relief Network has partnered with churches in the area that are serving as shelters. Among the closest to District 10 neighborhoods experiencing extended outages is the Mosaic Church located at 12675 Research Blvd, 78759. A list of other church shelters can be found here: www.adrn.org/shelters . They do not have full services and people should bring supplies and blankets.
For individuals who are unable to shelter in place and must travel to one of the shelters due to medical necessity, please contact 311 to arrange transportation. You can also email coaemergencyrides@austintexas.gov and provide your name, phone number, address, number of people needing transport and medical needs. Transportation resources are extremely limited, and the public is asked to reserve this resource for our most vulnerable population, especially those who require power for their medical devices.
ADRN volunteers needed
The city is in need of volunteers to support operations as a result of the current winter weather conditions. If you are willing to serve as shelter staff or know someone who would be able to volunteer, Austin can use them. The city has several locations open and exploring new locations as the disaster makes it necessary to do so. For anyone who is able to volunteer at a warming center, please fill out the volunteer form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxyznaQoKu2iTsW5wTQmE8mKhE0SNzou4k_yAuqep1j5zfDQ/viewform) for the Austin Disaster Relief Network or contact ADRN at 512-808-0800. You will need to leave a voicemail if you call. When someone completes this form they will be followed up with if there is a matching need for their availability.
ADRN has limited ability to assist if transportation is needed to move the volunteers to the shelter to work.
If you are in a position to support ADRN’s winter storm response efforts (including warming shelters), you may donate here: https://adrn.org/give/
Please continue to check in on your neighbors, especially the vulnerable or elderly.
I will continue to provide useful information as I receive it. If we all do our part to conserve, we will return to normal faster.
Sincerely,
Alison Alter
City Council Member, District 10
