Water Crisis in Marlin, Texas!

MARLIN, Texas (FOX 44) – In Waco, splash pads and car washes hum with activity under the summer sun, but just 45 miles away in Marlin, Texas, it’s a vastly different story.

The city finds itself in the grips of a severe water shortage, prompting the implementation of Stage 4 of its Emergency Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.

For six weeks now, Marlin has grappled with an elusive water leak.

“So until we locate that leak, we have to go in this stage four contingency water conservation and drought plan. And what that means is you can’t wash your car, you cannot water your gardens and your lawns, and you cannot use water in any way other than for your own personal health and safety reasons. So we’re asking our citizens to do that for us while we’re locating this leak so we do not run out of water,” said Mayor Susan Byrd.

Mayor Byrd urges residents to report any signs of leaks promptly and appeals for patience as public works crews navigate the challenging conditions.

Many residents are concerned with how long it will take the city to find the leak and how this problem came about.

“So this happens every year without fail, the ground dries up, it shifts, pipes break and you have leak issues,” said Byrd.

Although this water conservation has created numerous questions from the community, a major question is what measures is the city taking to fix this problem.

“We’re working with TEEX, which is a public works response team,  which is helping us by putting up drones and using other high-tech measures to help us locate this leak. So we are blessed and privileged to have the state of Texas step in and help us here in Marlin locate this,” said Mayor Byrd.

In a bid to conserve every drop, the city has warned of fines and penalties for those found violating the water restrictions. With the situation worsening, adherence to the conservation plan is crucial to avoid exacerbating the water shortage.

As Marlin battles through this challenging period, the community’s resilience and cooperation will be pivotal in overcoming the crisis. With ongoing efforts to locate and repair the leak, hope remains that normal water service will soon be restored.

For updates or to report leaks, residents are encouraged to contact the city hotline at (254) 883-9255.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.