KILLEEN, Texas (May 7, 2025) – The City of Killeen will implement Stage 4 of its Water Conservation Plan from May 27 – May 30, following the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District (WCID) #1’s near completion of two projects that will improve reliability and enhance resiliency within the multi-city water supply system. Residents are requested to begin mild conservation efforts on May 26 to better assist. With optimal conservation, the water restrictions may not last the entirety of the four days.
WCID confirms the projects will require a 48-inch water line to be shut down to make final connections to 5,000 feet of new steel pipe, as well as a new three-million-gallon concrete storage tank.
Bell County WCID 1 provides wholesale water service to about 265,000 people, including the cities of Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Belton, Nolanville, the Fort Cavazos Military Reservation and the 439 Water Supply Corporation. The 48-inch pipe delivers about two-thirds of the total water supply to those cities.
The City of Killeen (and all WCID #1 customers), will enforce Stage Four (4) of our drought contingency plan from May 27 – May 30, which states:
Emergency Water Shortage Conditions
All requirements of stage 2 and 3 shall remain in effect during stage 4 except:
(1) Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
(2) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is absolutely prohibited (private and carwashes)
(3) All outside water uses are prohibited, except for fighting fires and for animals.
Laundry mat services are also prohibited, along with refilling pools (outlined in Stage 2). To review the City of Killeen Water Conservation and Drought Contingency ordinance in its entirety, please visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/WaterConservation.
For more details on water conservation in the City’s Code of Ordinances, citizens may visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/Ordinances.
For more information regarding the WCID #1 project, as well as water saving tips, please visit https://wcid1.org/. For specific questions about the project, please contact Bell County WCID #1 General Manager Ricky Garrett at (254) 501-9243 or send an email to general@wcid1.org.
The 48-inch pipe was originally installed in 1975 and there have been several water main breaks as a result of the pipe’s age.
If water usage from residents and businesses is reduced enough, a boil water advisory may not be necessary. If water usage depletes storage levels, WCID confirms it will issue a mandatory boil order for public health and safety.