07/15/2026
Dear Members,
I want to personally address the emergency water main break that occurred last night and provide some insight into the efforts that took place behind the scenes.
A 12-inch water main was struck, creating a significant and complex emergency repair. Restoring service was not as simple as shutting off a single valve. Our crews worked tirelessly throughout the night operating numerous valves across the distribution system in an effort to safely isolate the damaged section of main while maintaining as much service as possible to the surrounding area.
I understand the frustration that comes with water outages and low pressure. These situations are inconvenient and disruptive, and we do not take that lightly. However, I also want our members to understand that the safety of our employees is non-negotiable.
Before a repair can be made, enough pressure and water volume must be removed from the damaged main to allow our servicemen to work safely. Attempting to repair a pressurized 12-inch water main places employees at unnecessary risk. After hours of exhausting every available option to reduce the flow, the decision to instruct our crews to leave the site between approximately 1:30 and 2:00 a.m was made. At that point, there was nothing that could safely be accomplished until the water volume decreased. Our employees returned to the site shortly before 6:00 a.m. and immediately resumed restoration efforts.
Some have asked why updates were not more frequent. We shared notifications as reliable information became available. During emergencies, our crews' primary focus is restoring service safely and efficiently. As conditions changed, we communicated what we knew at the time.
I also encourage all members to verify that your contact information with BWSC is current. Keeping your phone number and email address up to date helps ensure you receive emergency notifications and important system updates as quickly as possible.
Finally, I want to recognize our field crews. They worked through the night under difficult conditions, putting in long hours to restore service to our community while never compromising safety. I am proud of their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to serving our members.
To those who offered words of encouragement and showed patience and understanding throughout this event, thank you. Your support means more than you know.
We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve you and remain committed to providing safe, reliable water service to our community.
Brandi Boggs
General Manager
Bolivar Water Supply Corporation
