City Of Gatesville Boil Notice

We are aware of the boil notice issued by the City of Gatesville. This notice does not affect Mountain Water Supply customers. As soon as we learned of the city’s main break yesterday, we shut off the incoming city water and switched entirely to our own water wells. We will continue operating on well water until the city lifts the boil notice.

External Antenna

Some customers have external antennas on their meters. This is so that it is possible for the operator to read those meters from a distance. If you have one on your meter, please do not touch it. If they are broken, it will cost the customer $26.00 to have them replaced. If, for whatever reason, you need to move it or you have to get close to it, call the office so we can get someone out there to help you.

🎄 Holiday Closure Announcement

MOUNTAIN WSC will observe the following holiday closures:

  • Christmas Eve – Closed
  • Christmas Day – Closed
  • New Year’s Eve – Closed
  • New Year’s Day – Closed

We appreciate your understanding and wish you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.

PRV

Why You Are Responsible for the PRV

  • Property Line: In Texas, the water utility is responsible for the water lines and equipment (including the meter) up to the point of connection at your property line (the meter). Everything on the house side of the meter is part of the private plumbing system and is the homeowner’s responsibility to install and maintain.
  • Plumbing Codes: Plumbing codes, including those adopted in Texas, generally require a PRV if the incoming static water pressure from the main line exceeds 80 pounds per square inch (psi) to prevent damage to internal plumbing and appliances.
  • Service Agreements: Most water supply service agreements explicitly state in their terms and conditions that the customer is responsible for installing and maintaining a PRV, especially if system pressure can be highly variable due to local topography. 

Actionable Advice: Maintaining Your PRV

  • Monitor Your Pressure: It is a good idea to periodically check your household water pressure to ensure your PRV is working correctly. You can purchase a simple pressure gauge at a local hardware store and attach it to an outside spigot.
  • Typical Pressure Range: Most PRVs are factory set to around 50-55 psi, but can be adjusted, usually between 25-75 psi. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends setting it to limit pressure to between 45 and 60 psi to conserve water and extend the life of plumbing fixtures.
  • Professional Help: While a homeowner can perform maintenance or replacement, it is often recommended to use a licensed plumber to ensure proper installation and compliance with local codes. 

Your water supply company is not liable for any damage to your property caused by high water pressure, emphasizing the importance of maintaining your own PRV. 

Flushing

Have you ever seen an opened a hydrant valve only to watch the water go down the drain, ditch or street? It might seem like a waste, but hydrant flushing is a crucial part of water quality maintenance to ensure your health. What are some of the best practices, and why are they so essential?

The Impact of Sediment Build-up on Pipes

Over time, sediments, biofilm, and other impurities can accumulate in water main pipes, affecting the color, taste, and odor of potable water. Areas identified as dead ends are especially concerning and include areas water accumulates and doesn’t circulate, allowing sediment to settle and corrosion to occur.

Flushing “dead ends” is critical to community and environmental health, and often, we will employ an automatic hydrant flusher to maintain water quality. 

Preventative Maintenance

Beyond the improved water quality, hydrant flushing serves an important preventative maintenance function. By clearing out sediment or stagnant water in the system, flushing ensures the components of the water distribution system, such as valves and fire hydrants, function optimally.

Benefits of Regular Hydrant Flushing

The main reason for flushing hydrants is to maintain high water quality. We can remove rust, mineral particulates, and other sediment that can naturally accumulate in pipes and water mains during this process.

Flushing hydrants increases water safety and enhance the effectiveness of secondary disinfection processes, greatly affecting water quality throughout the system.

Hydrant flushing not only benefits water quality and allows our staff to monitor underground pipes, but it is also crucial for public services. Firefighters rely on properly working hydrants and utilities, and flushing hydrants is a way for professionals to mark, clean, or clear brush around hydrants in case of an emergency.

If you have any questions about hydrant flushing, please contact our office, and we will be happy to help.Â