As the winter season sets in, WaterISAC is sharing some tips and stories of other utilities taking proactive steps to increase their resilience against winter-related hazards. During the devastating winter storm in Texas earlier this year, Austin Water lost power and many of its pipes froze due to extreme cold, leading to long-term water outages. After the storm, Austin Water got to work insulating its exposed pipes against extreme cold and improving its power resilience by constructing electrical substations at each treatment plant. The utility also now maintains a full stock of winter supplies and safety supplies at each facility.

The Alamo College District, in San Antonio, Texas, was also heavily impacted by the winter storm. The college’s facilities lost power during the storm and low temperatures led to mechanical and plumbing failures, resulting in bursting pipes and water damage. In the aftermath, the college hired an engineering firm to help them increase their long-term cold-weather resilience. Of the firm’s 400 potential cold-weather remediation recommendations, some actions the college is implementing include acquiring stand-by generators to provide power for freeze protection systems, installing electric unit heaters and connecting them to generators, insulating exposed piping, and adding shut-off and drain valves where applicable to facilitate freeze-protection-by-draining, among other recommendations. The cold-weather recommendations are applicable to water utilities as well looking to enhance their resilience in the face of winter hazards. Access the National Weather Service Winter Preparedness page for additional tips and resources or read more at Facility Executive.