NEWS
Information Regarding Recent Solicitation on Water Line Coverage
Some Benbrook residents have received a letter in the mail from an independent company named American Water Resources of Texas inviting you to subscribe to a Water Line Protection Program offered by American Water Resources of Texas.
Please know that Benbrook Water Authority (BWA) does not endorse or question the program offered in the American Water Resources of Texas solicitation. As a valued customer and in response to inquiries we have received regarding the solicitation, the BWA would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some facts and helpful tips to help you make an informed decision regarding the Water Line Protection Program advertised by American Water Resources of Texas.
Facts: American Water Resources of Texas is not affiliated with the BWA. BWA does not endorse any programs offered by third-party companies.
Tips: BWA reminds you to review your homeowner's insurance policy or to contact your insurance provider to ask questions about the Water Line Protection Program, whether repairs to a water service line are events already covered under your current homeowner's insurance policy, and whether this is coverage that you need or not. If you are interested in the product, contact American Water Resources of Texas and ask specific detailed questions about the Water Line Protection Program and get responses in writing. Contact your Better Business Bureau office to inquire about these or any other companies that send you solicitations (even if the companies may not be members).
We hope these facts and tips are helpful to you to make an informed decision.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions Implemented
At its meeting on August 30, the BWA Board of Directors approved a request from Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) to implement Stage 1 of the TRWD's Drought Contingency Plan. Stage 1 restrictions include limiting landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems to twice per week. Residential customers whose addresses end in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) will be permitted to only water lawns and landscapes on Sundays and Thursdays. Addresses ending in even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8 or 0) may only water on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Non-residential customers, including apartments, businesses, parks and common areas, may only water on Tuesdays and Fridays. The time of day restriction, which prohibits outdoor watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. will also be in effect. Foundations, trees, and new shrubs may be watered anytime for up to two hours using hand-held hose, drip irrigation or soaker hoses. The following restrictions are also in effect:
- No hosing of paved areas, such as sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, etc.
- No hosing of buildings or other structures for purposes other than fire protection.
- Vehicle washing limited to use of hand-held bucket and hose with positive shutoff valve. Vehicle washing may be done at any time at a car wash.
EPA Challenge
Unfortunately, efforts over the past 10 months to gain support to Challenge the EPA Disinfectant Byproduct Rules have been unsuccessful. We generated over 60 letters to the U.S. EPA, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and Texas state and U.S. legislators. The result is no action. We can find no advocate to correct U.S. EPA abuses. The letters and responses remain posted here for review.
Our inability to gain support from our elected representatives leaves us disillusioned with the growing government incompetence and the reluctance to rein in U.S. EPA excesses. This disappointing experience reinforces the fact that we have the best representative government that special interests and lobbyists can buy.
Rather than spending public money for our own lobbyist to mount the necessary political support for a successful challenge, we are declaring defeat. We apologize for having to continue to waste your money on overreaching, unjust U.S. EPA regulations.
Boil Water Notice Lifted
10:30 a.m. April 13--The leak that caused the boil water notice has been isolated. We have sampled and tested the water for the presence of any harmful bacteria. Based on the results of these tests, we have determined that the water is safe to use.
We are removing the boil water advisory. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this incident and thank you for your patience and understanding.
UPDATE (5:00PM April 12)--Water service on the north side of Benbrook has returned to normal conditions. The boil water notice for customers affected by the water main break will remain in effect until Wednesday, April 13. Customers on the north side may notice water clarity issues (cloudy or dirty looking water). We are aware of this and are working to resolve the issue. Customers who continue to have water clarity issues past 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, should contact the BWA office at 817.249.1250.
UPDATE (1:35PM April 12)--Crews continue to work on restoring service to the north side of Benbrook. Water service should be back to normal conditions by 5:00 p.m. today. The boil water notice for north Benbrook will remain in effect until Wednesday, April 13.
BOIL WATER NOTICE (April 12): Due to a major water main break, BWA is required to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, BWA officials will notify you. Customers with ice makers should turn off the ice maker until the boil water notice is lifted.
WATER PIPELINE DAMAGED ON NORTH SIDE (April 12): Due to a major water line break on the North side of Benbrook all locations south of Chapin Road, west of Williams Road, and east of Interstate 20 will be without water until the leak can be isolated and the elevated storage towers can be refilled. ONCE WATER PRESSURE IS RESTORED AS A PRECAUTION ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE BEING ASKED TO BOIL THEIR DRINKING WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
We apologize for this inconvenience and we are working diligently to return water service to normal as soon as possible.
EnviroTech Water Testing
Many Benbrook residents have received water quality test kits at their door from EnviroTech International, Inc. This is a sales campaign conducted to sell Rainsoft water conditioning products and is not affiliated with BWA or any agency responsible for public drinking water quality.
On-Line Bill Payment Now Available
As of April 1, 2010, you may pay your water bill on-line via the BWA website. Click here to pay your bill and view your usage and payment history. Payments can be made with debit cards, MasterCard, VISA, Discover, and American Express.
E-Bill Now Available
As of April 1, 2010, you may elect to receive your monthly water bills via e-mail. To sign up to receive your monthly water bills electronically, simply send us an e-mail at billing@benbrookwater.com. The email must include your name and your BWA account number and service address.