‘It’s just becoming more intense’: City of Marlin now under stage 4 water restrictions due to a leak
MARLIN, Texas (KWTX) - The City of Marlin and all of its residents are currently under stage four water restrictions as a result of an unidentified leak.
On June 16th the City of Marlin reported low water levels at their city’s water towers, determining the cause as a water leak.
Three weeks later they are still looking for the source of the leak, as the city’s water loss gets progressively worse.
According to Mayor Susan Byrd, “in the last 24 hours we lost three million gallons of water as a result of this leak, and I think it’s just becoming more intense with regard to spillage.”
Because of this they are unable to fill up their water towers, meaning those towers cannot maintain enough water pressure to properly distribute water throughout the city.
The City of Marlin also announced Mayor Byrd has issued a Disaster Declaration and requested assistance from Governor Greg Abbott.
One Marlin resident says he came home last night to no water coming through any of his faucets, just an odd hissing sound.
“It’s just pressure being built up, that’s all it is. Cause there’s no water… there’s no water being directed to the piping,” Dustin said.
Like many other residents in Marlin, Dustin says he’s tired of paying out of pocket just to have clean water.
“There’s been times I’ve actually had to message two friends in Marlin who live down the street from me, I’m like do we still have water? It is… really disappointing that I have to message my friends before I’m on my way home from work to see if I need to go buy more water,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Mayor Byrd says they are now working with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to find the source, with no luck so far.
“It’s a puzzle. We don’t know where this leak is, cannot find it… we’re exploring avenues within the city as well as within Falls County,” Mayor Byrd explained.
Therefore, until further notice all residents must follow the stage 4 water restrictions:
1) Car or vehicle washing – commercial or residential; and
2) The watering lawns and gardens – commercial or residential; and
3) Use of water for any construction purposes whatsoever; and
4) No filling or refilling or adding water to swimming pools, wading pools, and jacuzzi pools – so the Splash Pad at Apple Sports Park will not be functioning during this water crisis
5) All other provisions listed in the City of Marlin Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
Mayor Byrd asks resident to “watch what you’re doing because if we run out of water you know we’re going to be in big trouble here, so we want everyone to really concentrate on conserving water.”
The city also asks residents to help by keeping an eye out for any signs of a water leak.
“Any standing water or any running water, no matter how big or how small, call the Marlin police dispatch,” Mayor Byrd said.
That number is (254) 883-9255.
Their next step will be shutting down service valves to isolate any leaks, which means some homes will be temporarily without water.
More information and updates can be found on the City of Marlin’s website or Facebook page.
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