The leak in the BCRUA’s underwater raw intake pipeline in Lake Travis was found during a routine dive on Aug. 8. This pipeline supplies raw water from Lake Travis into the BCRUA water treatment plant, which is Leander’s primary source for treated drinking water, according to the Sept. 8 press release.
Repair work on the BCRUA pipeline—which is estimated to cost $1.6 million—is scheduled to begin Sept. 21 and is projected to last until Oct. 4. During this time, the BCRUA water treatment plant will be offline.
Consequently, officials in Leander are looking to reduce the city’s water treatment capacity from 25 million gallons per day to 9 million gallons per day—a more than 50% difference. In early August, the city’s average water use was roughly 18 million gallons per day.
Starting Sept. 8 and throughout the repair period, all outdoor and handheld watering is prohibited in Leander. City officials are urging water customers to shut irrigation systems off completely and limit other nonessential uses until further notice, according to the release.
Other immediate actions that will be executed by the city include turning off irrigation systems at all city facilities and public parks; shutting off commercial irrigation systems; delaying acceptance of pool permit applications; discontinuing water main and line flushing unless necessary; and delaying landscape installation or related building activities.
Beginning Sept. 19, city officials will close Bledsoe and Lakewood park splash pads, delay new water meter installations and restrict all water connections for construction-related activities, according to the release.
Residents in Cedar Park are under similar watering restrictions during the repair period. Water customers in Cedar Park will also be prohibited from using irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers for outdoor watering during the repair.
Leander residents are encouraged to report any water violations here. Cedar Park residents can report water violations online or through the city’s hotline: 512-401-5308.
