| Austin American-Statesman
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Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said water distribution information is expected to be shared sometime Friday evening as trucks loaded with pallets of bottled water make their way to Austin, which faces widespread water outages.
“We’re working with local and regional partners to set up safe, strategically located water distribution sites,” Cronk said.
Deliveries of up to 20 pallets of water are being delivered to hospitals, shelters, warming centers and to vulnerable populations or those with critical needs, Cronk said.
The city purchased 1 million gallons of water from surrounding states. Trucks carrying that water are expected to arrive Friday night or on Saturday, Cronk said.
Thirty-six pallets of water from FEMA will be brought in from Fort Worth to the Austin area, which remains under a boil water alert.
Distribution sites, which will be decided by identifying areas safe enough for residents to reach them, will be open from sunrise to sundown, Cronk said. The city anticipates being able to provide one case of water per vehicle.
Residents who are able to purchase water, should do so, Cronk said.
Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros did not have a firm timeline on when the city’s drinking water or pipe system would be restored or when the boil water notice would end. But he expects water pressure to significantly improve over the next 48 hours.
He said getting water restored to places like hospitals is a priority. Clearing water for drinking could happen early next week, he said.
“I think this is all going to come together into early next week,” Meszaros said.
HAYS COUNTY
Monarch Utilities is setting up a bottled water distribution site at Home Depot, 3730 Dry Hole Rd. in Kyle, Saturday and Sunday starting at noon.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said Friday that the county has ordered 10 truckloads of water for places under boil-water notices, said the water is not expected to arrive until Tuesday.
In Hutto, the city said it has water on the way and will be posting distribution times and places on Saturday on the city’s Facebook page.
Cedar Park is offering a maximum of 20 gallons of free water per family per day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Buildings 3 and 4 at 450 Cypress Creek Road. People are asked to bring their own containers and to wear face masks.
Leander is offering free public water filling sites from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday but all water provided must be boiled. A maximum of 20 gallons is allowed per vehicle. The locations are at Akin Elementary, 3261 Barley Rd.; Pleasant Hill Elementary, 1800 Horizon Park Blvd.; and Rouse High School, 1222 Raider Way.
The city of Taylor will be giving out six bottles of water per vehicle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the fire station at 200 Washburn Street. The city will also be giving out 20 gallons of non-potable water to each person from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Taylor Regional Park, 210 Carlos G Parker Blvd.
