For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2017
5:00 am
Contact: Rob Dean, 432-371-2737
rgvranger@yahoo.com
Study Butte Water Effort Continues
Water hauling efforts will continue today for Study Butte residents who have been without water for 11 days. Lajitas Resorts and Big Bend Resorts and Adventures have been providing water to SBWSC residents who have been affected by the outage. The SBWSC system customers include all of Terlingua Ghostown and Study Butte. Water to the Terlingua side of the system was restored June 23 while supply to Study Butte has been restricted due to insufficient water production. Trucks from TX Forest Service, Pecos County, Big Bend National Park, and Terlingua Fire and EMS will continue to transport water to the Study Butte storage tank.
A lightening strike 10 days ago damaged the pump motor to the main water well which was capable of producing up to 150 gallons per minute. The SBWSC is currently producing less than 50 gpm which is insufficient to provide the system pressure and volume needed for the community. Approximately half of SBWSC customers remain without water today.
The new motor which was built to withstand high temperatures was supplied by Franklin Electric in Oklahoma is expected to arrive today. “Once we get the motor installed we will be able to produce more water to satisfy our community demands” said SBWSC plant operator Jason Blanton.
Transporting water will continue throughout until the system can be restored to normal operations. SBWSC hopes to be able to begin pressurizing the system when sufficient water has been transported.
All residents are advised to continue water conservation while the system is being repaired. Level 4 Water Conservation Emergency measures remains in effect and the Boil Water notice is still in effect. This means water may be used for normal household use while watering lawns, gardens, washing vehicles is prohibited. Any water used for consumption should be boiled prior to use (see www.studybuttewater.com for details).
Bottled drinking water has been donated by numerous organizations and is available to those in need at the Brewster County Emergency Services Center in Terlingua. Drinking water remains available to those in need at the Terlingua EMS building from daily 10am to 2pm.