A potential water station closure in Fredericksburg is set to disrupt the lives of numerous Gillespie County residents, according to concerned citizens petitioning against the closure.
This comes as Gillespie County has been under “abnormally dry” to “moderate drought” conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Gillespie residents Ken and Dorothy Palmer, who have been relying on the potable warehouse water station “for over 10 years, averaging approximately 250 gallons per week,” state that the water source “has been essential in meeting [their] household’s basic water needs.”
The Palmers reached out to Evan Williamson, Fredericksburg’s assistant director of Public Works and Utilities, to petition for the water station to remain open. “Would the City [of Fredericksburg] consider an alternative solution, such as a permit system, usage limits, or designated access for verified residential users?” they asked.
However, Williamson did not budge, stating, “We are unable to offer an exception or alternative access at this time.”
The Palmers have also contacted Clinton Bailey, city manager for Fredericksburg, asking “that the City fully evaluate practical alternatives before moving forward with closure.”
The reasons for the closure remain somewhat unclear, although “potential theft at the current location” seems to be a driving factor, according to the Director of Gillespie County Economic Development Tim Lehmberg and others.
Other reasons cited by Williamson include the “regular maintenance, water quality monitoring, daily operation oversight, compliance requirements, and accounting and billing management” as being too heavy a load on the city at the current time.
The Palmers, however, dispute this, stating that “closing the station entirely may be a disproportionate response to a solvable issue,” with staffing requirements appearing relatively minimal and maintenance and monitoring needing to continue regardless of the station’s operation.
Additionally, in an email to Lehmberg from Fredericksburg resident Joe Robledo, Robledo stated that “in addition to humanitarian concerns,” the closure of the station “could ultimately weaken the financial stability and strength of Gillespie County,” as residents take their money to cities that will provide for their basic needs.
A spokesperson for the city of Fredericksburg told Texas Scorecard there is not “another local bulk water option, but there are commercial entities throughout the Hill Country that can provide bulk water services.”
Access to water is a growing concern across Texas. Recent headlines in the past month are Corpus Christi nearing water shortages, data center water usage, and the Texas Water Development Board calling for more than $150 billion in allocations.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding water shortages or misuse, please contact our tip line: scorecardtips@protonmail.com
