Leander, Texas, water treatment plant undergoes shutdown for underwater pipeline repairs

(UI) — The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) water treatment plant was shut down Monday morning for necessary repairs to replace approximately 1,400 feet of underwater pipeline. Scheduled intensive construction work on the pipeline is set to commence Wednesday, Feb. 28.

This pipeline plays a critical role in transporting raw water from Lake Travis to the BCRUA treatment plant, which serves as Leander's primary source for potable water.

As a consequence of the plant shutdown, Leander's overall water treatment capacity will be reduced from about 24 million gallons per day (MGD) to 9 MGD. During the construction period, Leander will rely on its smaller Sandy Creek plant for treated water. However, if water demand exceeds 9 MGD for an extended period, it could lead to low pressures in Leander's water system, potentially prompting a boil water notice for all customers.

To mitigate the impact of reduced capacity, Leander will implement Phase 4 emergency conservation measures starting Monday, Feb. 12. These measures include turning off irrigation systems and limiting all nonessential water use to curtail water demands. Phase 4 measures aim to restrict daily water demand to no more than 50% capacity, ensuring consumption remains within the reduced capacity of 9 MGD throughout the repair period, expected to last until the first week of April.

The repair project was presented to the Leander City Council on Thursday, Jan. 18, highlighting the need for the pipeline replacement and the ensuing plant shutdown. In January, Leander water customers averaged 8.6 MGD, with a peak usage of 11.7 MGD recorded on Jan. 16.

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