Customers of the Thunderbird Bay Water System were recently informed that their water supply may be in jeopardy due to the recent drop in the level of Lake Brownwood.
Temporary receiver John M. Fultz issued a letter to customers regarding this situation and possible solutions that were being considered and/or negotiated. Residents of three subdivisions: Thunderbird Bay, Harbor Point and Tamarack Mountain are customers of the water supply and were informed that the original location of the intake pumps were moved to a deeper location on a barge to enable more water to be obtained. According to Mr. Fulch, this location too is getting shallow.
“Unfortunately the lake level continues to drop and this new location will need to be changed,” stated Fulch in the letter.
Fulch went on to explain to residents that over the past two weeks, TCEQ and the engineer, Clarence Littlefield from Gonzales, have been working with Fulch to determine possible alternatives and the estimated costs for each. The best solution determined by all involved is to connect on a temporary basis with the Brookesmith Special Utility District water supply. This decision has involved several entities which are in agreement, according to Fulch, to allow and install the temporary connection.
“Mike Taylor with BSUD & Dennis Spinks with the Brown County Water Improvement District are on board; TECQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) is on board for approval of the payment of the project to be from the surcharge account for this emergency interconnection; Brown County Judge Ray West has agreed, and Donny Wilson has agreed to let the line cross his property,” said Fulch.
BSUD has been working to find where the nearest location for a connection and Wilson’s property has been located and may have a 4” line that is accessible for the interconnection needed, according to Fulch. He also stated that engineer Clarence Littlefield is working to gather the necessary materials for the project.
Fulch stated that he felt the interconnection could be completed in a timely matter.
“We are definitely hopeful and think that it can be accomplished in 7-10 days barring any unforeseen obstacles,” said Fulch. “We are doing our very best to get this resolved for the residents.”
Fulch also said that he has given notice to the county judge that help may be needed for an emergency mobilization of water if the project is delayed or the levels continue to drop below the barge location.
“Only rain will solve the long term problem at this point, and we unfortunately have no control over that,” said Fulch in his letter to customers.
Thunderbird Water Supply has 685 customer accounts, with many of these having multiple residents living at the location of the account. Brown County Emergency Management official Brent Bush stated, “It’s not an easy task to truck in water (to that many people)” indicating the serious nature of getting this interconnection completed.
