MUD, RANCHO VIEJO TO RESIDENTS: YES, WE HAVE NO WATER

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

For the better part of a month, the silk-stocking Town of Rancho Viejo has been struggling with bringing drinking water to its dwellers and was even put under a boil water notice for all residents by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The town, which experienced a main water break January 7, is serviced by the Valley Municipal Utility District #2, which also supplies water to the Riverbend Resort. The residents for that golfing resort were also placed under the boil water notice. It was since been lifted January 22.

In a notice posted on its website, the MUD #2 management informed the residents that: 

"Due to the pressure dropping below 20 psi throughout the system on 1/19/2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Valley Municipal Utility District No.2 public water system 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). 

The MUD was required by the TCEQ on  January 20 to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that... the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. 

The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system 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 January 21,2021.

But some residents at the posh golf resort felt that the Town of Rancho Viejo was remiss in informing the residents, some of who are elderly and have no access to the Internet about the problems with their water. 

One resident wrote Alderman Javier Vera on January 7:

"I am a resident at XXX Morelos and Valley MUD has a water main break in this area.
My 85 year old mom and child are without running water as many other citizens with similar concerns must be facing.

What do you plan to do regarding ensuring that we as citizens do not continue to have this issue and that the infrastructure is properly maintained...I am asking what is the plan as our representatives to address this crisis with valley mud? Many of our citizens may not know of the restrictions." 

The letter, forwarded to Mayor Cyndie Rathbun, drew this response:

"Notifying all citizenry of an emergency is a concern that we have tried to address through the Town alert system and by other means, should it become necessary.

For example, let’s say if there was an overturned rail car with toxic chemicals inside, the town would activate its emergency system and the police and neighboring local agencies would evacuate the town or notify the town residents by going door-to-door, depending on the situation. 

I have personally participated in these kinds of exercises, along with the former chief of police and other town staff. We are ready should an emergency like that occur. 

Regarding the recent Valley MUD #2 water pressure issue: Should there have been any major danger, VMUD would have shut off the water and gone door to door. I have verified this with the general manager of the water district. 

The water district is aware that the Town of Rancho Viejo is always available to help notify the residents should an emergency occur.  Our police officers are all trained in emergency situations and will be there to help should the need arise. 

Thank you very much for being a concerned citizen. I appreciate your question." 

This, in turn, drew this response:

"I am glad to know about the towns emergency plan regarding a train derailment, however there are citizens in our community who were not notified such as elderly, those residing in apartments and other residents who I have communicated with that have been consuming the water during the restriction period who did not get notice from valley mud or the town but neighbors and friends and concerned citizens working together. The notification requirements of an incident such as this are set forth in the Texas Administrative Code.

Decaying infrastructure is an issue the Town is addressing currently but paramountly getting notice to the residents when their water supply is under testing and possibly contaminated with microorganisms not to drink is equally important as notice of a train derailment.

I would suggest that the town implement notice to the news media and cable company for broadcasting, contacting directly apartment residents in person and having pd or employees of the city at the major ingress and egress points of rancho viejo hand out flyers to notify of the restrictions to passing motorists. Going above what is required is public service at its best...

This is a learning opportunity for all involved. I have personally informed my neighbors and friends some who were not aware of the boil ban as recent as last night. Eldery residents especially with our current Covid era have difficulty in obtaining potable water. Maybe a water distribution point at city hall would be a suggestion if the situation continues or happens again. Maybe Valley Mud would donate and supply the drinking water."

The suggestions by the resident prompted a response from Alderwoman Laura Kaechele: "Since the WMUD is not owned or managed by the Town of Rancho Viejo, I am hoping you can take (the resident's idea) into consideration since any official communication or notification would come from VMUD."