Cottonwood Shores approves emergency repairs after wastewater pipe break
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A major pipe break at a key wastewater lift station in Cottonwood Shores has prompted emergency repairs after the system was taken completely out of operation. The system is expected to be back online by May 15.
City Council approved $23,500 in emergency repairs for Lift Station No. 5 during its May 7 meeting following a major break in the main discharge pipe servicing the station. The city’s entire wastewater system flows into Lift Station No. 5 before being transferred to Horseshoe Bay for treatment under an existing agreement between the two cities.
A lift station is a facility that pumps wastewater from lower elevations to higher ground so it can continue moving through the sewer system to a treatment plant.
According to City Manager J.C. Hughes, the pipe may have been weakened during a recent freeze. Hughes said the pipe warranty had expired.
The city is temporarily bypassing the lift station through its valving system while repairs are completed. The station is required to use a “chopper” type pump before wastewater is discharged and sent to Horseshoe Bay for treatment under the existing agreement.
The city plans to file an insurance claim, though council approved the full repair amount to allow work to move forward immediately.