In a Facebook post made Wednesday, the City Of Killeen informed citizens that there is limited water available from their water supplier and they have to implement restrictions to conserve.

*UPDATE: Harker Heights officials have implemented Stage 4 Emergency Water Conservation. More on that below.

"We are taking every step possible to minimize service interruptions to customers but need the public’s help to conserve the supply that we are receiving," the City announced.

Due to major breaks and pump system failures, they have issued five steps to take as they reduce water demand by 40%.

1. They are advising you not to store large amounts of water by filling bathtubs or other containers. If this is done, customers will start to experience outages, and boil water notices will be issued at a time when many are still without electricity.

2. They suggest if the water lines in your home are frozen, to email wsoperations@killeentexas.gov or call (254) 501-6320. The City will send a crew to shut off the water at the meter. It is important to do this before lines start to thaw to minimize water damage to your home and prevent the unnecessary loss of water.

3. (This is something I had a question about because I have been running water from my faucets as suggested.) Once temperatures reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit, turn off any dripping faucets. You can resume dripping when temperatures drop below 30 degrees. You do not need to drip all faucets in your home. Drip faucets located along exterior walls only when the temperature necessitates.

4. Using appliances that use a significant amount of energy and water like washing machines or dishwashers is strongly discouraged. They suggest you wash dishes by hand.

5. Lastly, it's suggested that you store one gallon of water per person for the next 24 hours. If you are dripping your faucets, drip into containers to prevent any waste.

The Facebook post also says the water supply is barely meeting the demand at this time and that Boil Water Notices will be issued as outages occur.

*HARKER HEIGHTS

In a late morning news release, the City of Harker Heights announced that it, too, is calling for water conservation in response to limited supply.

Assist City Manager Jerry Bark wrote that Harker Heights is not currently under a boil water notice but that citizens are asked to help conserve water to preserve service.

"Winter weather-related power outages have significantly impacted the water supply the City is receiving," Bark wrote. "We must implement Stage 4 water restrictions to conserve. Stage 4 restrictions call for reducing the demand by 20 percent due to major water line breaks or pump system failures. We are taking every step possible to minimize service interruptions to customers but need the public’s help to conserve the supply that we are receiving."

Bark asked that the public do the following over the next 24-48 hours (similar to the City of Killeen's requests):

  • Do not store large amounts of water by filling bathtubs or other containers.
  • If your water lines in your home are frozen call 254-681-6779. The City will send a crew to shut off the water at the meter. It is important to do this before lines start to thaw to minimize water damage to your home and prevent the unnecessary loss of water.
  • Once temperatures reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit, turn off any dripping faucets. You can resume dripping when temperatures drop below 30 degrees. You do not need to drip all faucets in your home.
  • Drip faucets located along exterior walls only when the temperature necessitates.
  • Do not use washing machines or dishwashers. These appliances use a significant amount of water and electricity. Wash dishes by hand.
  • Store one gallon of water per person for the next 24 hours. If you are dripping your faucets, drip into containers to prevent any waste.

Let's all take this seriously and help out as best we can.

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