HOUSTON – If you call to report a water leak in your neighborhood, it could be days or even weeks before anything is done.
KPRC 2 Investigates has learned the city of Houston is far behind schedule, stopping the flow of water.
Investigative reporter Amy Davis has an update on all of the water problems ‘Draining’ Houston.
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As KPRC 2 Investigates continues working on our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into water bill issues, we are hearing from you daily about water leaks running on for days and weeks. When you call the city of Houston to report the leaks, there is no sense of urgency.
‘DRAINED’ customer calls KPRC 2 to report an ongoing water leak issue
The sound of this rushing water on Hawthorne Street in Montrose might be relaxing, but all Andrew Leva hears is his money going down the drain.
“I’ve called three times,” said Andrew Leva. “We’re all paying for this water.”
Houston Public Works crews put some cones and caution tape out, so clearly they know about this trouble spot.
But, Houston Public Works spokesperson Erin Jones told KPRC 2 Investigates, “The current average time to repair water leaks is four weeks. This includes minor and emergency leaks.”
“They have not responded to me in any way, shape or form,” said Leva.
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In Kingwood, when Carolyn Daniels reported water gushing from a fire hydrant on December 19 to 3-1-1, she got a message from a Public Works employee the same day.
“We are aware of the leak. We just have a shortage of labor to do the repairs. The city of Houston is aware of it. There’s a blue flag on it and we will fix the leak when we get - uh, find a crew to come out and fix it,” the message said.
That same day 3-1-1 marked the case as closed, assigned, and resolved even though Daniels said the leak wasn’t fixed until 10 days later on December 29.
UPDATE: Houston Public Works sent a crew to repair the leak on Hawthorne in Montrose about 12 hours after we asked them about it. The leak is now fixed.
City of Houston cancels all emergency repair contracts
The city canceled all of the emergency repair contracts in December after KPRC 2 Investigates exposed a water department maintenance manager giving the contracts to unqualified family members and friends.
KPRC 2 Investigates learned new information after obtaining documents from the city through a public information request.
Last month, KPRC 2 Investigates explained the process that goes into requesting documents and waiting for information from the city.
Documents reveal Public Works Director Carol Haddock “indefinitely suspended Patrece Lee from her employment with the city” on December 14.
This letter says “On November 28th, Ms. Lee was given an opportunity to explain her conduct. She appeared with counsel but her explanation was neither persuasive or exculpatory.” meaning she had no good excuses.
Lee was fired for violating two city policies: Using her official position to secure a special advantage and for outside employment activities not authorized by her department director.
The OIG investigation into Lee is ongoing.
Houston Public Works said it is expected to take at least two months to work through the backlog of leak repairs. The department was not able to give a current tally of total active leaks in the city, even though they have been able to give out that number in the past.
KPRC 2 Investigates will keep asking questions and getting answers for you regarding the Houston water department. Check out our full ‘DRAINED’ Investigation.
Full transcript of the city of Houston’s response to KPRC 2 Investigates
Q: What is the average time now for repairing leaks in the city?
The City of Houston spent 15 weeks under Stage Two Drought Restrictions due to the record-breaking drought. Whereas some of Harris County is abnormally dry, the current NOAA drought monitor continues to show areas under moderate drought conditions. The city experienced over 30,000 calls for water leaks between June 2023 - December 2023.
The current average time to repair water leaks is four weeks. This includes minor and emergency leaks. Houston Public Works prioritizes repairs based on size and proximity to threaten the loss of water service to emergency facilities, schools and large areas. Please keep in mind this is for repairing the actual leak. The complete timeline to repair the right-of-way could take longer, depending on the size of the leak.
Q: How many active leaks are there today?
Houston Water measures open work orders for repairs. Work orders can include more than water leaks - they also include repairs on a water line, a damaged asset, fire hydrants and valves that aren’t working. There are currently 1,193 open work orders.
Houston Water is committed to repairing every leak, regardless of who is contracted to repair it. It is expected to take at least two months to work through the backlog of leak repairs.
Houston Public Works asks the public to call 713.837.0311 to report water leaks so we can track and make repairs as fast as possible and to contact 311 if anyone notices that the reported leak has worsened.