HOUSTON – At Do or Dye Hair Salon, stylist Lindsey Kidd says the latest outage is part of a growing pattern.
“This is the fifth time in three weeks,” Kidd said. “Without notice.”
For a salon, running water is essential. Kidd says when the water goes out unexpectedly, stylists are forced to stop working, appointments are canceled, and clients are left waiting.
Revenue losses add up
The impact extends beyond the salon. A nearby restaurant, Laurenzo’s, told us it lost approximately $5,000 in revenue during the latest outage. A dermatology office and dental office in the area also reported being affected.
Kidd says the financial toll is especially difficult for independent stylists who only earn money when they are able to work.
“As a single mom, it’s devastating,” Kidd said. “I need to pay my bills. I need to pay rent. And this is my job.”
Safety concerns for clients
Beyond lost income, Kidd says the outages can create safety concerns for salon clients.
“Chemicals are dangerous and they don’t come off, and that’s a liability for getting sued,” she said. “That’s a big problem.”
Kidd says stylists rely on running water not only to complete services but also to ensure clients can safely rinse out hair treatments and chemicals.
Frustration over communication
Business owners say one of their biggest frustrations is the lack of clear communication about why the shutoffs continue to happen.
“Everyone is just blaming each other and not taking responsibility for what happened,” Kidd said.
In an email to Kidd, Houston City Council District D’s office said Houston Public Works considered the initial shutdown a test that did not require advance notification. According to the email, weather delays and unexpected construction issues caused the work to take longer than originally planned.
A nearby restaurant owner said crews were initially expected to complete the work overnight, but the schedule changed after businesses requested accommodations for dinner service. The owner said the project then extended into the following day while contractors waited for parts.
Council member seeking answers
We reached out to Houston Public Works to verify those details but have not yet received a response.
Council Member Joe Panzarella, who represents District C, says he plans to meet with city officials to get more information about why certain “test jobs” do not require notification, even when nearby businesses are affected.
As of publication, Houston Public Works has not responded to questions about the repeated outages, what caused the delays, or whether any changes will be made to prevent future disruptions.