HOUSTON – For about two months now there has been a pool of water outside one local apartment complex near The Heights that no one can swim in. That’s because the water has nothing to do with recreational activities but is instead caused by a water main break.
People in the Timbergrove community say they refuse to go with the flow. The water is not only collecting at the source of the stream but traveling all the way down the block.
It’s a problem Curtis Hopkins says has been going on near his daughter and grandsons’ apartment on Seaspray Court for about 2 months now.
“My daughter is very, very important to me so I look out, come by, you know check on them, make sure they’re good. But as I was driving by when they first moved here, I saw this,” Hopkins said.
He’s referring to the relentless, bubbling flow of drinking water. ”And it’s just a waste,” he said. “Today I got frustrated. I took a video and I said I’m going to find something or somebody who can fix this because it’s just ridiculous.”
After reaching out to KPRC 2, we suggested Hopkins call 311 to report the issue. The response he got surprised him.
”She looked it up and says, ‘There’s already been a request and it’s been sent forth,’” he said.
We found the person who made the request earlier this month.
”We did the report on the 10th. I’ve been calling, I tried my best,” the woman said. Public Works says both, Hopkins and the woman who doesn’t want to be identified did exactly what they were supposed to do.
When you discover a leak or a significant drop in water pressure, you’re supposed to call 311 and get a service request number.
While city officials say larger leaks and those happening at schools and hospitals will be prioritized, we’re told most reported leaks will be repaired within 30 days, which in this case is still within the timeframe of when the first report was generated. People affected in Timbergrove are anxious.
“Just to get it fixed, that’s all. Just to come up, dig it up, do whatever they have to do. Just stop the leak,” Hopkins said.
After a few calls from KPRC 2′s Deven Clarke, Houston Public Works officials assured us repair crews will be out to begin fixing this mess Wednesday. They also say that after the leak is fixed, they’ll make sure there won’t be any sinkholes because of it, and customers’ water bills will not be affected.