November 21, 2023
4:00 p.m. Water Leak Update
ANRA crews have completed the necessary water leak repairs to the water system and as of 3:45 p.m., water service has been restored.
The northern part of the system remains under a Boil Water Advisory, however, if required water samples come back with no contamination detected, then we anticipate lifting the Boil Water Advisory by close-of-business tomorrow – Wednesday, November 22.
The source of the water leak was a 1 ½” galvanized line that had corroded from the inside out due to it’s advanced age. As part of the repair to uncover the pipe, we had to excavate the main line running along HWY 259. In doing so, we discovered that this section of line is a 4” asbestos cement pipe that was likely installed in the 60s or 70s.
Asbestos cement pipe is extremely fragile and susceptible to breaking during soil movement. This would explain the numerous leaks in this area. This information will be incorporated into the preliminary engineering feasibility report process for the system upgrades.
Below are before and after photos of the repair. As always, thank you for your patience and if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Monday, November 20, 2023
9:00 a.m. Water Leak Update
The temporary repairs that were made on Friday held throughout the weekend, but the permanent repairs that were planned for today will need to be postponed until tomorrow, due to the predicted severe weather today.
We will update you tomorrow morning regarding the plans for shutting down the northern part of the water system for these repairs. We anticipate that once we shut the water off, that repairs can be made quickly and that there will be minimal interruption of water service.
Although the northern part of the system is still under a Boil Water Advisory, we do anticipate being able to lift the Boil Water Notice by the end of the day on Wednesday.
Thank you for your patience as we make these repairs and as always, please feel free to contact us at 936-632-7795 if you have any questions or concerns.
Date: November 17, 2023
To: Central Heights Utilities Customers (Public Water System ID # TX1740008)
Subject: BOIL WATER NOTIFICATION
Due to low water pressures in the water distribution system for areas along US Highway 259 between County Road 104 and State Highway 204 (see map below for affected area), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Central Heights Utilities public water system (PWS ID Number TX1740008) to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking,
and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human
consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled
for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from
some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, Central Heights Utilities officials will notify
customers that the water is safe for drinking or human consumption purposes. Once the boil
water notice is no longer in effect, Central Heights Utilities will issue a notice to customers that
rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who
may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing
copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Mr. Chris Key, P.E., Executive
Manager, Utilities, Angelina & Neches River Authority at (936) 632-7795 or (800) 282-5634.
If you wish to contact TCEQ, you may call (512) 239-4691.
Attention Central Heights Water Customers:
We have been made aware of a water leak, located north of Central Heights ISD. ANRA field operations staff will begin to make repairs shortly after lunch today and will need to turn off the water to part of the Central Heights Water System this afternoon.
Please see the map below that indicates the affected area. This does not affect Central Heights ISD.
Repairs should be completed by close of business today, but the affected area will also be issued a Boil Water Notice. The official Boil Water Notice and repair updates will be posted on this page and on our website throughout the day.
We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we make these repairs. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at utilities@anra.org or 936-632-7795.
Attention Prairie Grove Customers:
Our operations staff have been made aware of a water leak at the end of IR Hannah Rd and are planning to make the repair on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
During this time, you may experience short periods of lower-than-normal water pressure. Operations staff will be working diligently to make this repair as quickly as possible. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at (936) 632-7795 if you have any questions.
Date: November 7, 2023
To: Central Heights Utilities Customers (Public Water System ID # 1740008)
Subject: BOIL WATER NOTICE RESCINDED
On November 6, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required the Central Heights Utilities public water system (PWS ID Number 1740008) to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Central Heights Utilities has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by Central Heights Utilities used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of November 7, 2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Mr. Chris Key, P.E., Executive Manager, Utilities, Angelina & Neches River Authority at (936) 632-7795 or (800) 282-5634. If you wish to contact TCEQ, you may call (512) 239-4691.
Date: November 6, 2023
To: Central Heights Utilities Customers (Public Water System ID # 1740008)
Subject: BOIL WATER NOTIFICATION
Due to low water pressures in the water distribution system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Central Heights Utilities public water system (PWS ID Number 1740008) to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, Central Heights Utilities officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking or human consumption purposes. Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, Central Heights Utilities will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Mr. Chris Key, P.E., Executive Manager, Utilities, Angelina & Neches River Authority at (936) 632-7795 or (800) 282-5634. If you wish to contact TCEQ, you may call (512) 239-4691.
The following customer notice is required by the TCEQ as a result of the non-compliances associated with Disinfection Byproducts Monitoring. This customer notice has also been mailed directly to every active water customer of the utility.
The Angelina & Neches River Authority will host the 24th Annual Neches River Rendezvous, a fun and family-friendly 10-mile paddling adventure down the Neches River, on May 18, 2024.
The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce first held the Rendezvous in 1997, and it quickly became a popular annual event, with up to 300 people participating, however, due to Covid-19, weather conditions, and supply chain issues, the event has not been held the past five years.
The Authority, a long-time sponsor of the Rendezvous, was approached by the Chamber in 2022, about possibly hosting the event in the future. “It’s a perfect opportunity and perfect timing,” said Kelley Holcomb, the Authority’s general manager. “At the time we were approached, we had just begun to expand our conservation and recreation education and outreach program and I can’t think of a better way to fulfill the conservation part of our legislative mission.”
The Rendezvous will be limited to 100 paddlers for the first year that the Authority hosts the event in 2024, but depending on the available supply of vans, trailers, kayaks, and canoe rentals needed for the event to be successful, the Authority hopes to increase the number of participants back to 300 paddlers, as it was in it’s prime.
In May 2023, all rights to the Neches River Rendezvous were legally transferred from the Chamber to the Authority. Over the summer, the Authority has been busy planning details and securing logistical elements required to host the event. As has been traditional in the past, the staging area for the Rendezvous will be at International Paper’s North Boggy Slough. Participants and volunteers will park and register at Boggy Slough and will then be shuttled to the launch location upriver. There will be four staggered launch times to avoid overcrowding.
After a leisurely 3-4 hours paddling the river, participants will end their journey at the Highway 7 bridge, next to Hackberry Bunkhouse & Kayak Rentals, where they will be assisted by volunteers, to get out of the river and shuttled back to Boggy Slough.
Several traditional elements of the event will continue, such as lunch on the grounds of Boggy Slough and providing participant with a souvenir t-shirt. However, the Authority will introduce some new, fun ideas in 2024. This includes contests and games, including a t-shirt design contest, allowing a limited number of vendors and food trucks to set up at Boggy Slough, and prioritizing conservation and education-based practices, including the Authority’s Stash Your Trash litter campaign.
“It’s important to get people out on the river, so that they understand what there is to lose if we don’t take care of our natural resources. The Neches River is a gem hidden in our own backyard behind the big pine curtain here in East Texas. A lot of people, especially younger generations, have never gotten out on the river and some don’t even know that it exists. Of course, we don’t want the Neches to suffer from negative environmental impacts from overcrowding and litter, but I think it’s important that everyone should experience the river at least once,” said Kimberly Wagner, the Authority’s executive manager of communications.
No experience is needed to participate in the event, however, anyone under the age of 18, must have a legal guardian present. Life jackets are highly recommended. Safety checkpoints will also be located at several locations along the paddling trail.
Registration for participants will open in early spring 2024.
The Authority is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors for the event. A volunteer guide and a sponsor information packet can both be found on the Authority’s website or via the contact information below. A series of volunteer committee meetings will take place before the event, beginning in October 2023.
The Angelina & Neches River Authority is located at 2901 N. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas, 75904. For more information, call the Authority’s Central Office Facility at (936) 632-7795, email recreation@anra.org, visit www.anra.org, or find both the Authority and the Rendezvous’ event pages on Facebook.