Home Care In Lampasas, TX

LAMPASAS COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) - A water main break in Kempner is putting thousands of residents under stage five water restrictions, and on Friday morning, residents were sent an alert stating “water loss is proving to be more widespread than anticipated.”

The alert from the Kempner Water Supply Corporation further states, “We will have to turn off the entire system that supplies every single meter in our system in order to get this concrete line repaired quickly. We apologize for any inconvenience. Turn off your water heaters at the breaker.”

Kempner residents like Alex Cannon told KWTX they are preparing by loading up on bottled water. Late Thursday, they were also filling up bathtubs with water, Cannon said.

He’s lived here for years, and says water problems aren’t surprising. But having no water at all for an extended period of time - he says that’s a first for him.

“It’s not our first issue with Kempner Water Supply, but it’s our first time being out of water for one day or longer. We don’t know yet,” Cannon explained.

The Kempner Water Supply Corporation is responsible for feeding water to thousands of people, including the entire city of Lampasas.

“We were contacted by Kempner Water Supply with a leak and it was noted that it is our main water line that provides the city of Lampasas with water,” said Ryan Ward, the assistant city manager of Lampasas, on Thursday.

And for the last 24 hours, “They’re still excavating trying to get down to the actual concern whether that be a break or a leak,” Ward says.

Once they find the problem, the plan is to turn the water off. That will cause the city of Lampasas to resort to the water stored in their tanks. They say if people aren’t conscious about usage, it may not last more than 24 hours.

“If folks are really conservative and really diligent and only use it when they really need it, it could extend that out a little longer,” Ward says.

There is no timeline on when the issue will be resolved, but in the meantime residents are adapting the best they can.

“We don’t even know what the measures are, we’re just gonna get as much water as we can for the next few days. I’m sure they’re going to rectify it quickly,” says Cannon.

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LATEST UPDATE

The main line leak has been repaired overnight and water will slowly start returning to the Kempner Water Supply system, according to an alert by the City of Lampasas released Saturday morning.

A city wide boil water notice has also gone into effect for Lampasas by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

A boil water notice for Kempner has also been reported.

"Two, three person teams for the City have been working since 3 a.m. to open hydrants and bleed air out of the system," the city said.

But despite the water's return, the city said that it's important to note that it will still take a day or two for the system to fully recover.

The city said activities like doing laundry and chores requiring water should be held off for at least another day.

Below are links for alerts and updates, where people can also sign up:

25 News will continue to provide updates as they become available.

UPDATE

The Copperas Cove Public Library will be offering potable water to KWSC members affected by the main line leak, according to Kempner Water Supply.

KWSC said the library will begin operations during daylight hours at a designated area of their parking lot at 501 South Main Street in Copperas Cove.

They said water is accessible by hose.

Below are links for alerts and updates, where people can also sign up:

25 News will continue to provide updates as they become available.

UPDATE

Lampasas and Kempner are preparing resources for residents should conditions worsen due to the "widespread" main line water leak. Kempner Water Supply are still working to repair the problem.

A water trailer is open to residents at the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department, Kempner Water Supply said. Residents need to bring a container to fill, and water bottles will also be provided for drinking water.

KWSC said there is another site for Lampasas residents behind the courthouse.

Lampasas is currently under a Stage 5 Water Restriction.

According to an alertfrom the city of Lampasas, as of 3:15 p.m. the "main has been de-watered and is being prepared for contract welders."

They said valving issues have made Kempner Water Supply crews go further east to stop the flow of water.

The city said that materials are on hand to make necessary replacements, but repairs will still take time, and once repairs are made, it will still take time for Kempner and Lampasas systems to recover fully.

"Please be prepared, and note conditions may change for the better or worse. Please continue to conserve," the city said in their alert.

City water stores are still holding according to their alert, but they are stressing the importance of conservation.

"It is likely we will eventually loose water pressure during the repair and recovery period, and if so, a boil notice will be issued. Our stores have responded in an unbelievable way with water, and other needs. The City is also prepared to centrally distribute water if conditions worsen. Thank you Lampasas."

Kempner City Hall has also closed due to a lack of water, according to a Facebook post.

The water trailer at the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department is located at 315 Pecan Street in Kempner.

Below are links for alerts and updates, where people can also sign up:

25 News will continue to provide updates as they become available.

UPDATE

The main line water leak is proving to be "more widespread than anticipated," Kempner Water Supply said in an alert on Friday.

KWSC said the entire system that supplies all their meters will have to be turned off to get the concrete line repaired quickly.

KWSC has not released a time frame to when the repairs will be finished and have apologized for the inconvenience.

They also said that members should turn off their water heaters at the breaker before they lose water to avoid them burning up.

25 News will continue to provide updates as they become available.

UPDATE

Kempner Water Supply crews spent a portion of the day Thursday breaking down and removing a metal building that was in the way of repairing a line leak.

According to an email update, "excavation has commenced and line exposure should be happening soon," and assuming all goes smoothly, Kempner Water Supply is planning to wait until 10 a.m. on Friday to turn the water off.

They are anticipating 24-48 hours of water loss.

25 News will continue to provide updates as they become available.

UPDATE

The main line leak on Highway 190 is a "significant and difficult" project that will take time for outside contractors to repair due to dangers to their crew, according to the Kempner Water Supply Corporation.

KWSC said members from CR 4807 to Lampasas and the entire north, northwest, northeast, west and southwest of their system will be affected and without water for a significant amount of time.

KWSC has not given an estimated time frame as of Thursday morning.

Members have been urged by KWSC to fill buckets and containers with water to prepare for the water cut off.

They said that bathtubs can also be filled to flush toilets.

KWSC said to please check on any elderly neighbors that may not have ready access to their alerts.

Operators are working to expose the line so contractors can begin repairs, KWSC said.

"This will take time as this is a dangerous situation for our crew," KWSC said in an update. "When that is complete, the line will have to be valved off at CR 4807 and HWY 190 (near Camp Caylor) and valved off on FM 2313 so repairs can begin."

ORIGINAL STORY

Kempner Water Supply has a main line leak through the concrete transmission line on HWY 190.

According to an alert, Kempner Water Supply may have to shut down the line on HWY 190 to repair the leak, and will have to call in a contractor to complete the repair.

"This will affect all customers from CR 4807 to Lampasas that receive water from this transmission line," Kempner Water Supply said.

"We will keep everyone informed as we work to get this line repaired."

Kempner Water Supply also imposed a Level 4 water restriction earlier this week.

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LAMPASAS, Texas (KWTX) - UPDATE: Kempner Water Supply completed the repairs Tuesday evening and has been pressurizing their lines and flush air from their water system, according to the City of Lampasas.

Water is now being sent to the city, however, the pressure at the two main valves has not met the threshold to open them and let water into the water system.

“While our tanks are very low, the good news is the water has made it to Lampasas and within the next few hours we can begin opening valves and flushing City water lines for air,” said the city on their Facebook.

The City will begin taking water samples once our system has fully pressurized, which will most likely begin Thursday. Once the samples have been tested, and they pass, the City will then rescind the Boil Water Notice. This test typically takes 24 to 48 hours to get results.

The Boil Water Notice could be in effect through the weekend, but communication will be ongoing and shared.

ORIGINAL

The City of Lampasas has issued an emergency stage 5 water restriction and a boil water notice after a waterline leak that the city was notified at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 by the Kempner Water Supply, who shut down the waterline due to pressure.

Overnight, crews from Kempner Water Supply Corporation excavated around the 30-inch water main in preparation for repairs later today, according to the city as of 7:00 a.m.

“The cause of the break is not confirmed; however, it is near an air relief valve. Needed materials for the repair are in route to KWSC and should arrive on site this morning,” the city posted on Facebook.

The Lampasas water system remains pressurized, with a few isolated exceptions, due to water remaining in storage at the Nix Tank and Georgetown Tank.

Residents are reminded to use water only to the extent needed for health and safety; and that a boil water notice remains in place.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Copyright 2023 KWTX. All rights reserved.

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Update: Texas A&M Forest Service data shows the Lucy Creek fire is 75% contained as of Monday at 8:41 p.m. Another fire reported northwest of Lometa in the area of County Road 2535 and CR 2509 was listed at 78 acres and 75% contained as of 9:32 p.m.

The Lampasas Cattle Auction has offered space in the barn to house animals displaced by the fires. Contact Andy at 512-902-3540

Triple-digit temperatures and gusty winds led to a 60-acre wildfire in Lampasas County over the weekend, and weather officials said the risks are ongoing. The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a grass fire at 4:45 p.m. Sunday. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that a 60-acre blaze dubbed the “Lucy Creek fire” was about 60% contained as of 3 a.m. Monday. That containment level held steady as of Monday morning at 9:45 a.m. “We are at about 60% containment right now,” Lampasas Fire Department Deputy Chief Corey Greiner said. Conditions are dry, and winds are at 10-15 mph. High temperatures were expected to be 107 on Monday. The Lucy Creek fire began in the area of County Roads 3420 and 3421. A Dispatch Record reporter witnessed a large plume of smoke in the area about 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon and saw another smaller fire in the area of CR 3430 where it intersects with FM 580. When asked if the fire on CR 3430 was related to the Lucy Creek fire, Greiner said, “I don’t know that right now. Just no way to really know that.” LFD Deputy Chief Joe Adams believed the smaller fire on CR 3430 happened first and covered an estimated 2-5 acres. “We were called to the 3430 fire first and had it controlled when we started diverting trucks to the 3420 fire,” Adams said. In addition to Lampasas Fire Department, Lampasas VFD, Kempner VFD, Adamsville VFD, Lometa VFD and Texas A&M Forest Service responded to the Lucy Creek fire. The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System also was deployed and was at the scene Monday. The Mutual Aid System is maintained by the state forest service and is deployed for wildland fires anywhere in the state of Texas.

WEATHER CONDITIONS An excessive heat warning took effect Monday, with temperatures in the triple digits predicted throughout the week. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning at 12:51 a.m. Monday, as well as a hazardous weather outlook for Lampasas, Coryell, Bell and other nearby counties, citing temperatures of up to 106 degrees and heat indices of up to 112. “Dangerous heat continues across most of the region today with an excessive heat warning in effect along and south of Highway 380,” NWS officials said. “In addition, an elevated fire threat exists area-wide due to low humidity, exceptionally hot temperatures and very dry vegetation.” The heat warning extended to 8 p.m. Monday evening, however high temperatures are predicted to remain above 100 degrees throughout the week. In a hazardous weather outlook issued at 4:40 a.m. Monday, meteorologists said heat-related illness and critical fire weather conditions were the primary risks. “Triple-digit temperatures and dangerously high heat index values will continue the potential for heat-related illnesses each afternoon across most areas,” officials said. “Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will continue daily as hot, dry and breezy conditions persist.” As if that weren’t enough, North Central Texas may see lightning storms this week. “Isolated storms are possible across parts of North Texas Tuesday,” NWS officials said. “Gusty winds will be possible with any stronger storms that develop.”

RED FLAG WARNING This is the second heat-related notice issued in a matter of days. At 1:01 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the 103-degree temperature and heat indices of 108 until 8 p.m. on Friday. A red flag warning also was issued on Thursday afternoon and remained in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday due to gusty south winds. “Rapid ignition and spread of wildfires is possible due to persistent hot and dry conditions,” NWS officials said. “A Red Flag Warning means that extreme fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry vegetation can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

Lupe Dimas was drafted into World War II in 1944. He later joined the National Guard and served for 28 years. His one regret in life was not graduating high school.

LAMPASAS, Texas — A lifelong dream became a reality for World War II veteran Lupe Dimas. After nearly 80 years since being drafted, the 96-year-old received his high school diploma from Lampasas High School on Thursday, Sept. 14.

"I'm very grateful today for today," Dimas said. "Education is very important. I never figured I'd get to this point at my age."

Born in 1926, Dimas was drafted into the United States Army at 18.

Lampasas County Sheriff Jess Ramos said the veteran was taken out of school in 3rd grade and never learned how to read. However, education was always important to him.

Dimas served in World War II for four years, and later joined the National Guard where he served for another 28 years.

While he fought hard for our country, Dimas still dreamed of one thing: a high school diploma.

Ramos made it a mission to make this dream come true after Dimas got COVID-19 and was in hospice for six weeks in 2021. There, the two developed a deep relationship while Ramos was his spiritual advisor.

"I can't put into words," Ramos said. "I can just tell you that I'm glad it happened. We waited so long. A high school diploma is just the start of many things that can open all kinds of achievements."

Dimas' daughter, Diane Hibbert, was just as excited for her father. She told 6 News that her father's diploma will now sit alongside hers and her four other siblings' diplomas. Now, his entire family all graduated from Lampasas High School.

"My dad always said, don't ever give up on your dreams," she added. "You never know how they're going to come true for you."

Lampasas ISD presented the veteran with a military honors cord and an honors blanket with his name on it. This week Dimas is also celebrating 74 years of marriage with his wife who attended the ceremony on Thursday.

"This is a legitimate degree," Hibbert said. "If you're a veteran between 1944 and 1975, there's a legal clause that says they're afforded a legitimate degree, so his is not an honorary degree. This is an actual high school diploma."

6 News asked Dimas what his plans are next. With a warm smile, he shared he wants to teach at a high school.

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