City of Post, Texas Runs Out of Water on Saturday
This week's winter storm has affected the electrical and water supplies in many areas of the State of Texas.
While West Texas has been spared the higher amounts of damage seen in other parts across the state, some South Plains communities have experienced problems with their water supplies.
Residents in Littlefield are still being asked to conserve water as of Saturday afternoon. Also on Saturday afternoon, residents in Crosbyton and Ralls were asked to turn off their water as officials in both cities tried to trace potential leaks in their water systems.
The City of Post saw water supply issues for most of Saturday, culminating in the city's municipal water supply going empty Saturday afternoon.
At 1:33 a.m. on Saturday, February 20th, the Garza County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook:
City of Post has been informed that our main water lines coming in from Slaton may have froze over in some areas or a possible leak in our main line. Unfortunately we are not able to receive water from White River due to a power outage at the plant. We are asking the public to PLEASE CONSERVE water until we get our levels back up! We will continue to update with more information. Thank You. - Deana Smith, City Manager Post, Texas.
Then, 11 hours later, the situation worsened, with another online announcement from Deana Smith, Post's City Manager:
Update on our current water situation: We are still unable to receive water. Our water supply is depleting rapidly. So, we will be without water shortly. We are working to get bottled water to the citizens at this time. I will let you know when and where we will distribute the water. Please share! Thank you for your understanding.
Then at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Post officials announced plans to distribute bottled water to Post residents after their municipal water supply ran dry.
"There will be bottled water available at warehouse #2 on 8th Street. Still nothing to report on the water situation. If you know of anyone that is homebound, please call 806 441-7585 and we will deliver. Please share and thank you for your understanding," said Smith.
The population in Post, Texas is just about 5,200 people.
Once the municipal water supply returns in Post, it's expected the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will have a Boil Water Notice issued for the city.