For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2017
6:30 am
Contact:         Rob Dean, 432-371-2737
                       rgvranger@yahoo.com

 Study Butte Water Continues To Haul Water While Awaiting Pump Installation

Study Butte residents may get some relief today with the arrival and installation of the pump that will boost water production for the system. On Thursday, Big Bend Resorts and Adventures provided water to SBWSC residents who have been affected by the outage.  Trucks from TX Forest Service, Pecos County, Big Bend National Park, and Terlingua Fire and EMS have transported water to the Study Butte storage tank during this outage.  More residents are slowly getting water as efforts continue to restore the system to normal. The extreme hot temperatures have contributed to increased demand by residents during this  an emergency situation.  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.

 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.

The new motor which was built to withstand high temperatures was supplied by Franklin Electric in Oklahoma is expected to be installed today.  SBWSC will begin pressurizing the system when the pump and motor have been installed by Skinner Well Service out of Alpine, Texas.  

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.