KWSC Leak Repairs Complete
(KWSC Alert, April 25th) The leak on the concrete transmission line leak is complete. Thanks to all of your conservation efforts, we were able to run off our storage tanks and no one experienced a loss of water. Please continue your conservation efforts for the next couple of days as we refill all of the tanks and get the system back to normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding for the circumstances that occurred our control.
KWSC Board Discusses Major Leak
Kempner Water Supply Corporation’s Board of Directors met last night for their monthly Board Meeting. Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the Kempner WSC Office and begin at 6:00pm.
The Board notes we are currently in Stage 2 drought restrictions. Minutes from the March meeting and the financial report were approved unanimously. With the recent rains, Lake Stillhouse is at 607.9’, up 3’ since March and at the same level currently as 1 year ago. The current level in the Kempner tank is 53' and in the Lampasas tank is 26'.
The Board discussed repairs to the leak in the 24" concrete line connecting 195 pump station to the Ivy Mountain Distribution tank, which began at 8:15pm Wednesday the 24th. On Thursday, April 18th, KWSC received a phone call from a citizen in Killeen suspecting a water leak in the area and on Friday the 19th crews isolated and began exposing the suspected section of the line in 3 different locations. The leak was in a remote area and difficult to access. On Tuesday evening crews worked to drain the line well past 9:00pm. Accessing, excavating, and clearing the workspace was dangerous given the water pressure in the line is 200 PSI. It is estimated that 1.3 million gallons were being lost per day due to the leak. After isolating and excavating the site the line was "dewatered" and needed to dry before the welding crews could begin repairs. Three ongoing line extension projects have been placed on hold while crews address the current situation.
In other KWSC news, letters have been sent to resident/s in the Gibson Ranch subdivision regarding potential unapproved hook ups. The purchase and movement of water via wholesale and retail sales was discussed at length and a new flow meter is also to be installed for water coming into Kempner. A detailed Drought Contingency Plan can be found on KWSC website with a final version is in discussion, and may possibly be ready for the board to take action on next month. Approval was also made in conjunction with the City of Lampasas in a Joint Use Facility Fund for the CL2 Injection Site at Ivy Mountain Tank. In addition, the discussion of the potential long term project of KWSC linking with Copperas Cove for emergency services access is ongoing; trouble with potential pressure changes at the desired point of contact are being investigated. A new connection system solving a bad backflow problem with Salado was also discussed in conjunction with adherence to old contract terms with KWSC.
Trihalomethanes (THM's), chemicals in water that has been disinfected, are at levels currently in the safe range, with close eyes monitoring this at least quarterly. THM tests are routinely performed to ensure levels are safe for consumption. The concentration of THMs depends on the amount of chlorine added to water, the temperature of the water supply, and the concentration of organic material in the water supply.
- Matt Janacek
The Board notes we are currently in Stage 2 drought restrictions. Minutes from the March meeting and the financial report were approved unanimously. With the recent rains, Lake Stillhouse is at 607.9’, up 3’ since March and at the same level currently as 1 year ago. The current level in the Kempner tank is 53' and in the Lampasas tank is 26'.
The Board discussed repairs to the leak in the 24" concrete line connecting 195 pump station to the Ivy Mountain Distribution tank, which began at 8:15pm Wednesday the 24th. On Thursday, April 18th, KWSC received a phone call from a citizen in Killeen suspecting a water leak in the area and on Friday the 19th crews isolated and began exposing the suspected section of the line in 3 different locations. The leak was in a remote area and difficult to access. On Tuesday evening crews worked to drain the line well past 9:00pm. Accessing, excavating, and clearing the workspace was dangerous given the water pressure in the line is 200 PSI. It is estimated that 1.3 million gallons were being lost per day due to the leak. After isolating and excavating the site the line was "dewatered" and needed to dry before the welding crews could begin repairs. Three ongoing line extension projects have been placed on hold while crews address the current situation.
In other KWSC news, letters have been sent to resident/s in the Gibson Ranch subdivision regarding potential unapproved hook ups. The purchase and movement of water via wholesale and retail sales was discussed at length and a new flow meter is also to be installed for water coming into Kempner. A detailed Drought Contingency Plan can be found on KWSC website with a final version is in discussion, and may possibly be ready for the board to take action on next month. Approval was also made in conjunction with the City of Lampasas in a Joint Use Facility Fund for the CL2 Injection Site at Ivy Mountain Tank. In addition, the discussion of the potential long term project of KWSC linking with Copperas Cove for emergency services access is ongoing; trouble with potential pressure changes at the desired point of contact are being investigated. A new connection system solving a bad backflow problem with Salado was also discussed in conjunction with adherence to old contract terms with KWSC.
Trihalomethanes (THM's), chemicals in water that has been disinfected, are at levels currently in the safe range, with close eyes monitoring this at least quarterly. THM tests are routinely performed to ensure levels are safe for consumption. The concentration of THMs depends on the amount of chlorine added to water, the temperature of the water supply, and the concentration of organic material in the water supply.
- Matt Janacek
Benefit for Mary Ballance
The fliers have been up all over town and social media for weeks now, but the weekend has finally arrived. This Saturday, April 27th, Lampasas VFW will host a benefit for one of our own. Mary Ballance is a mother of two. Born and raised in Lampasas and a 1997 LHS graduate, Mary worked at Lampasas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center up until her symptoms began. In December 2022, Mary was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This weekend’s benefit is to help her with any medical treatments, rides to her appointments and the general costs of her battle with cancer. The benefit is to be held at the Lampasas VFW on Saturday, with brisket dinners provided by Young’s BBQ, raffles from 4-7pm and a dance provided by DJ KERENDON from Marble Falls at 8pm. Businesses like Storms Drive-In, Milam Properties, Great Clips, members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and others have donated some wonderful raffle items. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Plates will be $12.00 and the dance will be $5.00 at the door. We would like to give our thanks to Candice Morua, who has selflessly given her time to organizing this event and took time out of that busy schedule to help us tell Mary’s story. Together, we hope you’ll come on out and help support Mary and show her, “In Lampasas No One fights Alone.”
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State Rep Spiller Appointed Co-Chair of TX Energy Fund Advisory Committee
(Press Release) State Representative David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) has been appointed as Co-Chair to the Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee. The Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee was created by SB 2627 during the 88th Legislative Session and approved by voters last November as a constitutional amendment.
The Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee is made up of six members of the Legislature, three members appointed by the Speaker of the House, and three members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The Committee will oversee the Texas Energy Fund and provide input and recommendations to the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the use of the fund in providing loans for the construction, maintenance, and modernization of electric generating facilities to increase reliability across the state.
The Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee is made up of six members of the Legislature, three members appointed by the Speaker of the House, and three members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The Committee will oversee the Texas Energy Fund and provide input and recommendations to the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the use of the fund in providing loans for the construction, maintenance, and modernization of electric generating facilities to increase reliability across the state.