Did you know in Hunt there are six public water systems registered with the State of Texas Water Board, and all were damaged to varying degrees in the flood? But immediately following the flood, our local water operators worked tirelessly – often under tough conditions – to make emergency repairs and get water flowing to residents again. We are deeply grateful for their dedication.
To ensure a stable water supply for the Hunt School prior to the start of school in August, the Hunt Preservation Society (HPS) requested an emergency grant from the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to make emergency repairs to the Community Water Group, the system that supports Hunt’s “downtown” including the Hunt School, Hunt Store, and neighbors and businesses in the immediate vicinity. The other five water systems also made emergency repairs to restore water flow.
However, across these six water systems, some of these temporary fixes need permanent repairs to keep our systems strong and resilient. Other repairs include securing and burying exposed lines, repairing minor leaks, addressing damage from heavy equipment traffic, and fixing electrical components that may be functioning but are damaged – all while meeting safety and regulatory requirements. Utility repairs are costly, and addressing multiple issues at once is challenging for small systems.
To support this work, the HPS, working with Kerr Together LTRG, secured an EPA-grant through the University of New Mexico, which covers an assessment of both initial damage and proposed system upgrades, such as smart meters and improved systems design. Through Kerr Together LTRG, HPS got connected with the engineering firm, Freese Nichols, which provides engineering oversight, ensuring repairs and upgrades meet engineering standards to keep Hunt’s water systems safe and compliant.
So far, assessments have been completed for Bumble Bee, Rustic Hills, Mary Meade, Fisher Road, and Canyon Springs. Currently, HPS and our partners are gathering documentation on damage reports, locations, causes, and photos, and are now pursuing federal and state funding to make the repairs and proposed upgrades. These grants take time as it’s a detailed process, but one that ensures accountability and quality.
Through all of this, one thing is clear: Hunt’s strength lies in its people. Thanks to the teamwork of our operators, engineers, and HPS colleagues, our Hunt water systems are on the path to full recovery.
For questions and more information, please visit hpstx.org or email info@huntpreservationsociety.org.
