A 6,000-gallon tanker, set up by former City Council Member Joe McCombs and bulk water provider Samantha Springs, will be stationed at 1100 Bear Creek Parkway until 5 p.m. Feb. 18. Residents will need to bring their own containers, and masks are required as a COVID-19 precaution, the city said.
City public information officer Rachel Reynolds said the city expected the station to be available until 5 p.m. and that the city might be able to access a second tanker if the response was overwhelming.
As of noon Feb. 18, the city of Fort Worth was able to restore its Caylor water tank to working order, and water began to flow from that tank to Keller’s Alta Vista Pump Station, according to the city of Keller. Water had been restored to many Keller homes, but the city asked residents to only use water for necessary drinking or medical needs as the city’s elevated water tanks remained empty. A boil water notice remained in effect.
City Manager Mark Hafner said during a special City Council meeting Feb. 16 that widespread power outages affected Keller’s water pumping stations, but the recently renovated Alta Vista station was able to rely on a backup generator.
When Fort Worth’s pumps and treatment plants went offline Feb. 15, Keller and other cities that purchase water from Fort Worth were affected, including Roanoke. At that time, Keller officials announced that the city’s tanks still contained water, but the store was quickly depleted.
Fort Worth published guidelines for using water during the boil water notice, explaining that water needs to be boiled before being used for drinking, hand washing, brushing teeth or making ice. Though showering and washing laundry is safe during the boil-water notice, Keller and other cities experiencing water shortages have asked residents not to use water except for necessities.
