All Ector County and Odessa residents should have their water restored by late Wednesday night, but they likely still won’t be able to drink it until sometime Friday, Odessa Utilities Director Tom Kerr said late Wednesday afternoon.

Odessa city crews were able to finish up repairs to the 24-inch water line that broke Monday evening around 3:45 a.m. Wednesday and the process to “recharge” or replenish the city’s water system began around 5 a.m., Kerr said.

The repair site for a broken water main sits empty after crews completed work on the pipe at approximately 3:45 a.m. Wednesday morning in Odessa. Many Ector County residents were left without clean running water after the main broke Monday, spurring stockpiling amid one of the hottest summers in recent history. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)

The city was taking their time adding roughly 15-20 million gallons back into the system to reduce the risk of additional breaks, officials said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there was a “manageable leak” around a repair fitting at the site of the original leak at 42nd and San Jacinto streets, Kerr said.

On Monday, crews were unable to isolate the original leak because of a faulty valve that they tried to access from above ground, Kerr said. Because they were unsuccessful, the city was forced to shutdown the city’s water plant, which prompted a boil alert to be issued.

Because of the new leak, Kerr said crews will likely have to dig 8-10 feet to reach and repair the valve at 42nd Street and Andrews Highway.

Since the new leak is “manageable,” Kerr said it was not an emergency situation, although it will be addressed soon.

Asked if there could be another major break, Kerr said “there’s always a potential,” but they weren’t anticipating one.

There have been no other waterline leaks reported; a leak reported earlier Wednesday at 42nd Street and Bonham turned out to be related to a fire hydrant, Kerr said.

If there are no further issues, Kerr said he plans to test the city’s water Thursday morning and if they show no dangerous bacteria or microbes within 24 hours, the boil alert will be lifted.

Showering is safe, but people should still be conserving water as much as they can so as to not cause surges as the system is recharging, Kerr said. You shouldn’t be watering your lawns, he said.

Odessa Fire Rescue cadets and other volunteers distribute water to those in need during an emergency drinking water distribution drive through Wednesday morning at the Ector County Coliseum. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)

Odessa Fire Rescue Chief John Alvarez said the city will continue operating its water distribution center in Building E on the grounds of the Ector County Coliseum Thursday, starting at 8 a.m.

The number of people seeking water slowed down a bit Wednesday, Mayor Javier Joven said.

Any leftover water will likely be used to “back fill” those agencies that generously donated it, Alvarez said.

Deputy City Manager Phillip Urrutia said Medical Center Hospital has turned their water system back on and will be bringing their operations back online in stages.

Cars line up outside Barn E for drinking water as the City of Odessa holds a water distribution drive through Wednesday morning at the Ector County Coliseum. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)

MCH issued a news release indicating operations will be mostly back to normal Thursday including phasing in surgeries with the hope of a full schedule on Friday. All ProCare clinics and Urgent Cares will be open.

City officials provided updates Wednesday morning to Rep. Brooks Landgraf and officials from the Texas Department of Emergency Management and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the grounds of the Ector County Coliseum.

In addition to Joven, council members Mark Matta, Denise Swanner and Mari Willis spent time at the command center.

State Representative Brooks Landgraf helps distribute water to those in need during an emergency drinking water distribution drive through Wednesday morning at the Ector County Coliseum. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)

Following Wednesday’s meeting, Landgraf said he spent Tuesday at TDEM’s Operation Center in Austin coordinating with city officials to help ensure Odessa received the help it needed, most importantly, water.

TDEM not only provided its own water, but worked with private sector partners like Home Depot, Lowes, Red Cross and Meals on Wheels, he said.

Alvarez said other private sector partners included Coca Cola and United Supermarket.

Landgraf said circumstances have led to Odessa and Odessans becoming adept at handling crises.

The community learned how to deliver services “very efficiently” at the mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Ratliff Stadium, Landgraf said.

“I’m seeing a lot of that groundwork playing out here,” Landgraf said as driver after driver drove through Building E to pick up water.

“Unfortunately, we have gotten kind of good with disasters, but you’d certainly rather be prepared to handle those then not. Obviously, you’d rather not have disasters to begin with, but when they do come you want to be able to meet the challenge,” Landgraf said. “I’m very proud of not only the governments, but the way that the community, the people in the community, have come together. I think we’ve seen a lot of really good neighborly acts of kindness all across Odessa.”

WHAT TO KNOW

  • Do not consume unless you boil the water.
  • You can shower but make it a quick one and do not get water in your eyes, ears or nose.
  • Hold off on any irrigation or any unnecessary use of water.
  • Pets should be watered with bottled water.