San Augustine residents advised to boil water until further notice

SAN AUGUSTINE, Texas (KTRE) - Due to extensive leaks caused by the freezing temperatures, three main water lines in San Augustine have broken so far. One eight-inch line on Highway 96 South, and two six-inch lines in the downtown area. San Augustine Water Superintendent Chris Anding said they’ve been working since 7 a.m. to fix the lines. “This is the first time we’ve been on this street on a main line break in several years. We’ve got cast iron lines in the ground that are 65 years old, in freezing temperatures they break like a twig,” said Anding. Anding said they’ve already been able to fix a few of the leaks, but due to the low temperature, he and his crew are prepared to battle more leaks throughout the city. “It was eight degrees when I got in my truck this morning. Anytime you drop temperatures like that I try to tell everybody expect it because it’s coming, you just got to know it’s coming,” said Anding. Two crews were called in to assist with the leaks, Anding is hopeful that water pressure can be restored before the night ends. “We’ve got a fire plug here that we’re trying to relieve the pressure. We’ve got three pumps trying to get the water off of it so we can put a wraparound clamp on it and seal it off,” said Anding. Anding said he doesn’t know what else will come about as the ice thaws out, but he and his crew will be prepared. “All the citizens if you’re out and you see a leak call it in report it to city hall. If we don’t know about it, then we can’t fix it,” said Anding. A boil water notice is routine when water pressure drops. Anding said that he expects that the city of San Augustine will be under a boil water notice through the weekend.