Houston’s South Braeswood Street Plagued by Water Main Break, Causing Havoc for Residents
Residents of Houston’s South Braeswood Street are facing a frustrating ordeal as a water main break continues to flood the area. For the past three weeks, dirty water has been filling the street, leading to car accidents and impacting daily activities for those living in the neighborhood.
Frank Placencia, a resident on South Braeswood Street, expressed his concern over the situation. It’s been happening for three weeks, he said. Every morning there is a tow truck parked out here because I guess they’re just waiting for an accident to happen and take the cars out.
In addition to the safety hazards caused by the flooding, neighbors have also been experiencing lower water pressure due to the leak. One anonymous resident mentioned that it has been particularly noticeable in the kitchen sink and shower, making simple tasks like washing dishes more difficult.
The city of Houston has been inundated with water-related complaints since August 31, with over 1,000 cases reported. These complaints range from issues with water main valves and water quality to water leaks. Currently, there are more than 700 active cases. Mayor Sylvester Turner previously attributed the low water pressure to water leaks, increased water usage, and global warming. The city has hired outside contractors to assist with repairs.
The concern among residents is that if the water pressure drops too low, it could become a health hazard for the homeowners on South Braeswood Street. Many are struggling to combat the low water pressure while also trying to conserve water during the drought. Some residents have resorted to using water pumps to redirect collected water into their yards, allowing them to water their lawns.
Crews from Public Works arrived on Wednesday afternoon to fix the main break. One worker mentioned that the intense summer heat has been a major contributing factor to the broken pipes.
The ongoing water main break on South Braeswood Street serves as a reminder of the challenges that cities face in maintaining their infrastructure. As Houston residents continue to grapple with this issue, local authorities are working to resolve the problem and restore normalcy to the affected neighborhood.
