Westchase residents frustrated with ongoing water main break: ‘It’s got to be thousands of gallons’

Residents in the Westchase area of Houston, particularly those at the Westchase Forest Townhomes on Pagewood Lane near Gessner, have been enduring a water leak issue for approximately a month, with no resolution in sight, according to locals.

John Violette, a long-time resident of the townhomes, noticed water flowing down the street around Jan. 24 and promptly reported it to the homeowner’s association, which in turn contacted the city’s 311 service.

Despite the expectation that the issue would be promptly addressed, the water continues to flow unabated towards drains on the westbound lanes.

Currently, the City of Houston is grappling with approximately 16,000 active 311 calls, with water leaks ranking as the top complaint, totaling nearly 4,000 reports in the last four weeks alone.

Houston Public Works is prioritizing repairs based on factors like the size of the leak and whether it has affected water service to emergency facilities, schools, or large areas.

The department is now seeking an update from Houston Water regarding the status of repairs for Pagewood Lane.

Violette expressed concern about the wastage of water, estimating that the leak is causing the loss of thousands of gallons. He emphasized the need for the city to address such issues promptly and effectively, given the significant impact they have on the community and the environment.