New drought contingency is due to WCID announcement, City has been at Stage 2 since August 2023
KILLEEN, Texas (April 1, 2024) – The City of Killeen has temporarily upgraded to a Stage 4 Water Conservation Plan, due to the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District #1 announcing a leak at one its plants. The upgrade is expected to last at least 48 hours or until repairs are complete, according to WCID #1.
The City had been asking citizens to adhere to Stage 2 Water Conservation Plans since it was implemented on Aug. 1, 2023. This upgrade to Stage 4 is labeled as “Critical” and means all outside watering is prohibited, including:
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle not occurring on the premises of a commercial car wash and commercial service stations and, not in the immediate interest of public health, safety, and welfare
- The filling, refilling, or adding of water to swimming pools, wading pools, and jacuzzi-type pools
- Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes
WCID #1 announced today that there’s a leak from a 48-inch water line break, which delivers water from the Belton Water Treatment Plant to Station 6 near Fort Hood Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard.
The pipeline is the primary delivery facility for Killeen, Fort Cavazos, Copperas Cove and others served by WCID #1. WCID #1 says the leak was minor and is not impacting service or causing any environmental impacts.
WCID #1 has asked all customers to reduce water usage by 30% and initiate the appropriate stage of their Drought Contingency Plan, saying they anticipate repairs to last up to 48 hours.
The Water and Sewer division of the City of Killeen’s Public Works Department has been proactive in preparing for the possibility of a line break, ensuring all storage tanks were full. Killeen also has a secondary supply from the Stillhouse Hollow plant.
For full details on each stage of Killeen’s Drought Contingency and Water Conservation Plan, please visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/WaterConservation. For questions specific to WCID, please contact the WCID #1 General Manager, Ricky Garrett at (254)-501-9243 or email general@wcid1.org.