Texas on Tap - August 2020

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Hot Weather Guide to Sourcewater Protection, Backflow Prevention and Pipe Maintenance Also Inside: Be Prepared: Making a Plan for Emergency Events Avoiding Service Disconnection During COVID-19

Your Texas Rural Water News Source Texas Rural Water Association | www.trwa.org | (512) 472-8591

Hot Weather Guide to: Sourcewater Protection

Local residents play a major role in conserving and protecting drinking water. By becoming familiar with the ways ground and surface water can become polluted and the management practices that can prevent pollution, we can all be assured summertime yard work doesn’t compromise continued safe supplies of drinking water.

Pesticides play an important role in agriculture. They have increased farm production and enabled farmers to manage more acres with less labor. Voluntary action to prevent pesticide contamination of drinking water will help ensure that pesticides remain available for responsible use.

Pesticides work by interfering with the life processes of plants and insects.

Some pesticides are also toxic to humans. If a pesticide enters a water supply in large quantities, which could happen with spills, dumping, or back-siphoning accidents, acute health effects could occur, depending on the toxicity of the pesticide. Contaminated water used for drinking water supplies may cause chronic exposure (prolonged or repeated exposure to low doses of a toxic substance). Chronic exposure may be hazardous to humans and livestock.

Properly managing pesticides on your property is an important step toward preventing drinking water contamination. If stored in a secure, weatherproof, and properly constructed location, pesticides pose little danger to drinking water. Of course, this properly constructed building should be well away from any water sources such as creeks, rivers, ponds, and water wells.

Container tops should be tightly closed and bags properly sealed.

Another excellent practice is to store liquid pesticides on the lower shelves with the dry products on the upper shelves. This will make for an easier 2

Texas on Tap — August 2020

clean up should a liquid product begin to leak, but also keeps the dry products from being dissolved by the leakage.

Common sense suggests keeping pesticides out of the way of activities that might knock over a jug or rip open a bag. Short-term storage poses a lower risk than year-round storage, but storage for any length of time can be a risk to drinking water.

Drinking water contamination can result even from small spills in the mixing and loading area. Small quantities spilled regularly in the same place can go unnoticed, but the chemicals can build up in the soil and eventually reach drinking water. By mixing and loading on an impermeable concrete surface, most spilled pesticides can be recovered and reused. Again, the impermeable surface should be installed well away from surface water sources and water wells.

Unwashed and improperly stored containers can lead to drinking water contamination if chemical residues leak onto the ground. Use returnable containers and minibulks, and take them back to the dealer as often as possible. Pressure-rinse or triple-rinse containers immediately after use, since residue can be difficult to remove after it dries. Pour the rinse water into the spray tank. Puncture empty containers and store them in a covered area until you take them to a regional collection event or permitted landfill. Do not bury or burn pesticide containers or bags.

Reducing pesticide waste makes financial, as well as environmental sense, but it means more than just reducing spills. It also means not buying more than you need to apply, keeping records of what is on hand, and using older products first.

Hot Weather Guide to: Cross-Connection Protection

Your water utility is constantly working to maintain the system and ensure sound operation. By replacing pipes before they break, taking steps to ensure that system pressures do not fall during periods of high demand, and asking for the cooperation of customers when there is a risk that system pressures could fall below safe levels, your utility operator reduces the risk of backflow of contaminants into the water supply.

Customers also play an important role. By taking steps to control cross connections and prevent the possibility of backflow at your home, you will help to protect the public water supply. Garden hoses and irrigation systems may be sources for contaminants getting into the public water supply.

Garden Hoses The garden hose is the most common source of cross-contamination which could result in a backflow of contaminants into the drinking water supply. The following can cause contaminants to be back-siphoned into drinking water due to the negative pressure they create.

Each of these common uses of a garden hose sets up a cross connection: • forcing it into a clogged gutter, downspout, or sewer pipe to flush out the clog • connecting it directly to a hose-end sprayer to apply pesticide or fertilizer to your yard • connecting it to a soap-and-brush attachment to wash your car, boat, or siding • letting the end of the hose lie in a puddle or pool of water on the ground

Irrigation Systems As a homeowner, you may install and maintain your own irrigation system, but it’s still important to have a suitable backflow prevention assembly (BPA) in place and to be sure that it works properly.

Here are a few ways you can do just that: • Hire a licensed irrigator. You can find one from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) online licensing database at: https://www2.tceq.texas.gov/lic_dpa/index.cfm • If you install your own system, have a licensed BPA tester confirm that the BPA is installed and operating properly. Licensed BPA testers are also listed in our online licensing database.

• TCEQ requires you to have a licensed BPA tester check the BPA when it is installed on your irrigation system.

Your water provider may have adopted additional codes or regulations which require an annual test of the BPA on your irrigation system.

Content for this article was retrieved from: www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/cross-connection Texas on Tap — August 2020

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Hot Weather Guide to:

Protecting Your Pipes

T

hough the beginning of school typically means the end of summer, in Texas, we have many more hot days in front of us. However, most people are not aware of the effect the hot weather can have on their plumbing and foundation.

While you’re enjoying having fun in the sun, make sure your plumbing isn’t being neglected. Hot weather conditions and summer activities can wreak havoc on your water pipes, including causing them to crack, break or even burst.

The following tips can help you prevent any potential water damage to the interior or exterior of your home: When the heat is on and the intensity of the sun’s UV rays are beating down on exposed pipes, they can become weakened and damaged. Check exterior pipes for signs of damage and have them replaced if they show any signs of stress. To protect them from future damage which may result in pipes bursting and causing water damage, paint them with a light- colored acrylic paint or wrap them in outdoor pipe insulation.

Remember that no exposure is the best exposure.

As trees and shrubs grow and expand in the warm summer months, their roots can wrap around or break through pipes, even invading your main sewer line and causing unwanted water to back up into your home.

To prevent or deter tree roots from spreading, spread copper sulfate, potassium hydroxide, and other like chemicals near the pipeline. Another preventative maintenance option is a visual camera inspection of your sewer line from a plumber or drain cleaning specialist. This type of preventative measure can often save you thousands of dollars if found early enough.

In periods of prolonged, excessive heat with no rain, the ground under and around your home can dry out and cause very small shifts in your foundation, which over a period of time can accumulate enough to bring your water lines out of alignment and cause them to rupture, which could result in water-related damage.

A well placed soaker hose can often prevent a lot of 4

Texas on Tap — August 2020

unnecessary damage. You should regularly inspect the area around your home’s exterior for damage. If you ever see water coming from underneath the surface of your floor, out of your walls, underneath cabinetry, or cracks in the tile, it is most likely a slab leak, which is the result stemming from failure in the plumbing system. Factors contributing to the failure could be caused by faulty installation, weakened water lines or soil shifting beneath the slab.

In the heat of the summer, garden hoses, and sprinkler systems are used more often, putting more pressure on your pipes than any other time of year. It’s best to always visually inspect your water lines during the times you’re heavily using your irrigation system.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your utility provider.

Looking for a New Career?

The water and wastewater utilities of Texas are hiring, and job growth is expected to continue.

Between continued population growth and aging workforce, the need for new workers in the water and wastewater industry is greater than ever.

Water and wastewater positions are rewarding for individuals interested in serving their communities and building long-term careers.

Every community needs water and sewer service, which means these positions are secure and have career advancement opportunities.

If a career in the water and wastewater utility industry sounds like the right fit for you, reach out to your local utility or visit TRWA's online job board at www.trwa.org.

Be Prepared:

Making a Plan for Emergency Events

T

exans have already seen their fair share of emergency events this year, including tornadoes, heavy rainfall, hail, flooding, and most recently Hurricane Hanna causing a great deal of destruction and power outages in South Texas.

Adding insult to injury, we are also in the midst of a global pandemic, and areas of Texas are considered “hotspots” of virus activity. Preparing for a natural disaster is always challenging but doing so during the COVID-19 crisis is especially difficult with additional considerations and precautions that need to be taken.

It is now more important than ever to focus on emergency preparedness in anticipation of a disaster.

Here are a few things you can do to prepare: • Tune in to emergency alerts and warnings. In addition to local news outlets, other great resources for real time updates on weather events are the Twitter accounts for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (@NOAA) and the Weather Channel (@weatherchannel). You can also subscribe to wireless emergency alerts, such as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

• In advance of an emergency event, have a household plan. Have a plan for communications, evacuations, and sheltering in place. Discuss needs with others in your network so you can assist each other with communication, childcare, business, pets, operating medical equipment, etc.

• Put together an emergency preparedness kit.

Recommended items include things like drinking water, food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, tools, cloth face coverings, prescription and non-prescription medications, baby supplies (if applicable), copies of insurance policies and other important documents, personal hygiene options and change of clothes. After assembling your kit, be sure to maintain it so it’s ready when you need it.

• Wrap, pack and store items such as pictures, letters and important documents to protect them from water damage.

• Trim your tree branches and secure any outdoor items that could potentially damage your property.

• If an emergency weather event is imminent, turn off your water in advance. If something breaks, you may not know immediately, which could lead to wasted water or additional damage.

• Bring your pets indoors or provide them shelter in a secure location, and don't forget to store extra food and water for them.

Your local water utility also takes measures to prepare for natural disasters.

Your utility is required to have a detailed Emergency Response Plan, which includes assessing and addressing potential risks and vulnerabilities.

Preparations also include filling water tanks and turning off valves in areas that are prone to damage.

Utilities are also required to have a generator or other backup power source, and a backup plan for external power if a generator suffers damage and is unable to perform. The utility will also strap down all their pipe, equipment and material when a high wind event is imminent.

Your utility will notify you about the status of the public water supply during an emergency. Check the utility’s website or social media accounts regularly, as well as local news outlets for updates. Keep an eye out for posted signs or flyers in your community if electricity or internet is not available during the event. The utility may post a Boil Water Notice as a precaution, which recommends boiling water at a rigorous boil for two minutes before drinking to eliminate possible bacteria in the water.

Your utility is a member of Texas Rural Water Association and a part of a mutual aid network for water utilities called the Texas Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (TXWARN) that facilitates connection between utilities when assistance is needed. Through these organizations, your utility can get assistance with anything from chemicals needed to backup generators, manpower and equipment.

Your utility will strive to provide you with the best possible service during a natural disaster. We can never completely prepare for what may come, but it is our collective responsibility to do what we can in advance of emergencies to make sure we are safe and secure.

Texas on Tap — August 2020

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COVID-19:

Avoiding Water Service Disconnection

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s COVID-19 has swept across the country, social distancing and mandatory business closures have resulted in unprecedented job loss and unemployment claims. This has substantially impacted millions of Texans’ ability to pay their monthly water bills, which in turn has affected the bottom line of rural water utilities. State and federal governments have taken some unprecedented steps to combat the economic effects of this virus. Notably among them is an order from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) prohibiting certain utilities from disconnecting service for nonpayment. Since that order has expired, it is now more important than ever that customers and utilities work together to reach payment plans that keep the water running while ensuring the viability of the water system.

Before delving into the specifics of disconnections during the time of COVID-19, it is important to understand the way water utilities in Texas are regulated. Oversight of water utilities is shared by two state agencies, the PUC and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ is responsible for all issues relating to the quality of water service provided by utilities.

This includes ensuring that water is safe to drink by monitoring for certain chemicals, bacteria and other things common to Texas water sources, and making sure that water pressure is within acceptable standards for residential, commercial or fire flow service.

Meanwhile, the PUC regulates some of the issues that could be considered to be more of the business side of a utility’s operation — things like service area disputes with neighboring utilities, customer service issues and rate disputes with customers, buyers or sellers of wholesale water. When looking at the PUC’s recent order on disconnections, it is important to note that there are different types of water utilities and the PUC has different regulatory powers over each of them. First, investorowned utilities (IOUs) are privately-owned, for-profit utilities. Because they operate as a business, they are the most strictly regulated of utilities, and the PUC monitors them closely to ensure they are not sacrificing water and service quality to secure higher profits. Most rural utilities in Texas, however, are either non-profit water supply corporations (WSCs), which operate as memberowned cooperatives, or water districts, which are political subdivisions of the state similar to a city. Since these 6

Texas on Tap — August 2020

utilities lack the profit motive of IOUs, the state has given the PUC less direct oversight of their business operations.

While TCEQ and PUC have been responding to the pandemic in their respective regulatory areas, utility customers are probably most familiar with headlines from March 2020 stating that the PUC had halted utility shutoffs in response to COVID-19. While this is true, the PUC’s jurisdiction over disconnections applies only to IOUs; therefore, those for-profit utilities were the only ones explicitly forbidden from disconnecting service during the pandemic by the PUC’s order. That said, most utilities in Texas, regardless of their type, voluntarily chose to follow the order and suspended service disconnections while the agency’s order was in effect.

In mid-June, the PUC allowed its order prohibiting disconnections to expire, so even for-profit IOUs are now free to begin disconnecting water service for nonpayment. With the order lifted, many WSCs and water districts have begun notifying their customers that they too will soon be resuming shutoffs for nonpayment.

Rural water utilities incur substantial costs in procuring, treating and distributing water to their customers, and the revenue they receive from those who purchase that water is the only way they can recoup those costs and continue operating. Without being able to disconnect customers for nonpayment, it would be difficult if not impossible for the utility to continue providing the community with safe and affordable drinking water.

That said, utilities across the state, including WSCs and districts, have seen firsthand the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on their customers’ livelihoods. At all phases of this crisis, most of these utilities have worked hard to assist customers experiencing an economic hardship by negotiating attainable payment plans so they can pay their water bills over time. As the pandemic continues to affect families across the state, rural water utilities are still eager to work with affected individuals to set up a payment plan that works for both parties.

However, utilities cannot develop such a plan if they are unaware of a customer’s economic hardship, so it is critical that customers notify their utility as soon as their economic situation changes and ask to be put on a payment plan to avoid service disruptions. By doing so, customers can continue to have access to water during this difficult time while helping ensure the viability of their water utility.

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Texas Rural Water Association

1616 Rio Grande | Austin, Texas 78701

Texas on Tap Published by: Texas Rural Water Association 1616 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78701 www.trwa.org

TRWA Editorial Staff Lara Zent, Editor in Chief Allison Kaminsky, Managing Editor Kelsey Copeland, Art Director

Questions?

General correspondence should be directed to your utility office.

Editorial inquiries may be directed TRWA Communications Staff at (512) 472-8591 or editor@trwa.org On the Cover: Wind & Water Photo Credit: Alex Eaves