Abilene Enters Water Crisis Due to Power Outages

ABILENE, TX — The City of Abilene is having a water supply crisis because of the freezing temperatures and rolling electricity blackouts. This afternoon, the Abilene water utilities requested that water customers curtail water use immediately, to include not taking baths or showers.

The rolling power outages are causing the water system to hiccup. Abilene was not clear if the power outages are affecting water treatment, the distribution of water, or both. 

Later Monday, the City of Abilene said there were only two to three hours of water left in the water utilities system at current consumption levels. 

“Immediate curtailment of consumption is needed. Do not use water unless you are using it to drink or cook. Please forego baths, showers, and other non-life sustaining uses. Use water only for drinking and cooking,” the City of Abilene said on Facebook.

Abilene has contacted the State of Texas emergency management agencies for help. They are working to acquire water trucks to deliver drinking water. The City is also attempting to get the electricity restored for its water utilities.

Unlike the San Angelo water situation last week where water was contaminated, the Abilene water crisis is strictly about supply, or quantity of water available. Abilene water is safe to drink if there is any.

San Angelo City Manager Daniel Valenzuela said the City of San Angelo water system is in good shape. He said they have exemptions in place with AEP to maintain electricity to the water treatment plant and should that fail, there are backup generators standing ready.