A water main break under U.S. Highway Business 377 near the Brazos River Bridge has led the City of Granbury to declare a disaster and impose strict water conservation measures, effective since Saturday, August 2.
The city reported that the leak, which began on July 25 and surfaced on July 27, has prompted a Stage 5 mandatory water conservation order to protect the public water system.
City Deputy Manager Michael Ross shared a disaster declaration signed by the mayor, stating, “… the water main leak is a matter of health, safety, and welfare of the citizens.”
The city noted that the pipe, installed in the late 1980s, likely broke due to shifting over time, with no specific cause identified and no ongoing projects contributing to the damage.
Under Stage 5 restrictions, residents are prohibited from lawn or landscape watering unless using a private well or lake water, cleaning driveways, sidewalks, or buildings, washing vehicles at home, and filling pools, spas, or hot tubs. Ornamental fountains and ponds must be turned off unless they support aquatic life or are equipped with a recirculating pump.
Commercial car washes are permitted only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The city has also shut off all municipal fountains and facilities, including the Splash Pad, to conserve water.
Resident Janice Thompson, who tends to her garden daily, said she has complied with the restrictions.
“I did what the city asked me to do, and not water them. I don’t have a sprinkling system,” she said, per NBC 5 DFW. “They were asking us not to wash our car, not to use water unnecessarily. And so, I just went by what they asked us to do.”
Despite concerns for her yard, Thompson noted, “I didn’t lose any pressure. They didn’t turn the water off. I didn’t lose anything. I’m just thankful that the good Lord gave us some rain last night. And now my yard gets watered. So, I have no complaints really.”
The city has been updating residents via its official Facebook page, emphasizing that the water remains safe to drink. Initially set to expire on August 5, the disaster declaration has been extended due to the complexity of the repairs, with parts being sourced from across Texas.
“The repair is more complex than originally expected, and parts are being brought in from various locations across Texas,” the city stated in a recent post. Repairs are now expected to be completed by Sunday, August 10.