Water Pressure Update

PGMS and an electrician were at Plant # 2 today analyzing the cause of problem(s) which led to Saturday’s reports of low water pressure.  The workers are expected back tomorrow morning with the necessary parts to get the plant totally operational again.  Normal water pressure had been previously restored but additional flushing was being conducted around 6 to 7pm near the intersection of Story and Ware to further assist in clearing the water mains of discolored water.  Even after the water mains are clear residents may still have discolored water in their homes’ water lines which can easily be cleared by running faucets to replace any discolored water remaining in the home.

RRWSC Low Water Pressure

Saturday evening PGMS, our water system operator, responded to some low water pressure calls.  They determined plant # 2, which usually serves residents mostly south of Onion Creek, was not functioning properly and it was taken off-line.  They also opened a valve from plant # 1 so it could serve the entire subdivision while the problem with plant # 2 is resolved.  In addition Sunday morning some residents reported noticing their water had an off color, most probably due to the normally idle cross connection line/valve that was opened so plant # 1 could supply water to the entire subdivision.  A PGMS operator will be out flushing the lines this afternoon to clear this discoloration.

PGMS has said a boil water notice is not necessary but if any customer feels they want to boil their water, that is okay.  If additional information becomes available it will be posted on the Ruby Ranch Water website

Lead & Copper Rule Monitoring and Reporting Violation

PGMS, the operator of our water system, supplied 10 households with water sampling bottles with directions for the homeowner to use for the sampling process. PGMS also picked up the completed samples from the selected homes and sent the samples to a TCEQ certified lab. Apparently one household took a little while before completing the sampling but regardless the lab accepted all samples and forwarded the testing data (all samples were fine) to TCEQ. Apparently one sample was received (time stamped) 4 hours beyond the allowed 14 day period and even though the lab accepted it TCEQ rejected it for being late. By the time PGMS was notified of the rejection the 90 day window (6/1/15 – 9/30/15) was closed, hence the violation even though the water met acceptable limits.

The following is the exact language of the public notice:

The Ruby Ranch WSC, PWS ID# 1050122 (the “WSC), was informed that it has violated the monitoring and reporting requirements set by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Chapter 30, Section 290, Subchapter F. Even though these were no emergencies, as our customers you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During January – December 2015, the water system did not complete all monitoring or testing for lead and copper and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during this timeframe.

The table below lists the contaminant(s) not properly tested for during last year, how often we are supposed to sample for lead and copper, how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which the follow-up samples will be taken.

Contaminant Required SamplingFrequency Number of samples taken When samples should have been taken When samples were or will be taken
Lead & Copper tap water sampling 10 samples every  year 10 June 1 – Sept. 30, 2015 June 1 – Sept. 30, 2016

What is being done? We are working to correct the problem. For more information, please contact Mr. Carroll Campbell by calling (512) 894-3322, or by mail to; 26550 Ranch Road 12, Suite 1, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620.

Lead and Copper samples were collected during July – September 2015, submitted to the laboratory, and the results forwarded to TCEQ by the laboratory. The TCEQ advised the WSC that they rejected one of the samples that was accepted by the laboratory for testing in error. The WSC was not informed of this situation in a timely fashion so that the rejected sample could have been retaken prior to the September 2015 deadline. All laboratory tests results have indicated that any detectable levels of lead and/or copper are well below the action levels prescribed by the TCEQ.

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., 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.

This notice is being sent to you by the Ruby Ranch WSC / Public Water System Number 1050122