City of Houston takes measures to control water main breaks ahead of summer

In Houston, the cost of repairing broken water mains is substantial, as Eyewitness News investigates the city’s efforts to address water leaks as temperatures rise, following a high number of reports last summer.

The City of Houston has disclosed plans to bolster its workforce by hiring additional contractors later this year to address water leaks citywide. Officials emphasize ongoing investments in long-term projects aimed at repairing water infrastructure.

According to a spokesperson from Houston Public Works, this year’s work orders for tasks such as water line repairs and damaged fire hydrants number less than 1,200, with approximately 85% of these orders attributed to active water leaks. This equates to around 1,000 active leaks across the city with open work orders.

In 2023, the Houston City Council allocated $80 million to engage external contractors to augment municipal crews. However, the forthcoming additional contractors will not be funded from this allocation.

Acknowledging the financial challenge, city officials express their commitment to addressing every leak, despite the associated costs.

To put things into perspective, hiring more contractors will require millions of dollars in expenditure. Additionally, the city must cover the expenses of its own crews, including overtime pay, as they collaborate with the contractors to carry out the necessary repairs. Over the span of June through November 2023, the city incurred nearly $2 million in overtime costs for addressing water leaks alone.