Topline
Residents of the West Texas city of Odessa woke up Tuesday morning without water, following a water main burst late Monday night that may not be fixed for two days, one week into a heat wave that has kept temperatures in the 100s throughout Texas and the Southwest.
A flare stack is pictured next to pump jacks and other oil and gas infrastructure on April 24, 2020 … [+]
Key Facts
Officials in Odessa—a city located in Texas’ oil-rich Permian Basin—warned residents on Tuesday that they could be without potable water for up to 48 hours as they seek to fully restore the water main.
Temperatures in the city peaked at 99 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday, and are expected to remain in the mid-90s throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service.
In the meantime, local officials opened three water distribution centers around the city, and state agencies and the West Texas Food Bank are planning to provide water to city residents, according to the Odessa American.
Mayor Javier Joven issued a state of emergency Tuesday morning, as well as a boil water notice for all consumable water, effective immediately.
The University of Texas Permian Basin closed its Odessa campus Tuesday morning, amid concerns that water pressure was too low to flush toilets or run air conditioners.
Big Number
122,630. That’s the population of Odessa, according to the 2020 federal Census. It is unclear how many residents are currently without water.
Crucial Quote
Residents of Odessa took to social media Monday night, with one person saying, “Only time I’ve ever been thankful that we at least [can] buy water to drink. Seriously, Odessa – is there ANYTHING that our city can get right? This is insane.”
Further Reading
More Than 70 Million Bake In Record-Breaking Southwest Heat Wave—And It’s Pushing East
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/06/14/drought-stricken-texas-city-could-lose-water-for-48-hours/