Great news, the District now has generators installed at all four (4) of its water treatment plant locations (both water treatment plants and both raw water intakes). These generators are installed, tested, and ready to provide power when needed. The process of getting these generators approved, designed, and installed was long. In 2021, after Winter Storm Uri, the District, along with most of the state, realized we needed permanently mounted generators at these locations. The District, along with its engineers and financial advisors, started working on a bond to secure $1.4 million to design, purchase, and install generators at these locations. In late 2022, the District secured the funding to move forward, however during this time, Henderson County also secured ARPA Funding and they let the water/wastewater utilities in Henderson County know they would be allocating these funds for generators. The Districts’ team completed the necessary application and submitted it to Henderson County and asked for half the funding to install all four (4) generators. Several months later, the District received the great news that Henderson County approved the application and the Districts portion owed was only $267,850. This saved the District $1.132 million from the bond that was secured. These funds can now be moved to another project after TCEQ approval. As part of receiving funding from the county, the District must secure a long-term maintenance contract to service these new generators. Since the District now has nine (9) generators at various locations, and it’s vital they all operate when needed, the District is looking to work with a contractor that will come in every 6 months to perform preventative maintenance and perform annual load testing on all generators. The District wants to make sure all generators are ready and operational when needed. In closing, the District would like to thank Henderson County and its associates for working to secure this funding to help provide a much needed resource to our customers.
Typically, around April/May of each year, Cedar Creek Lake is close to capacity or overflowing and preparing for the hotter dry season ahead. This season is a little different this year as we experienced a warmer, drier “Wet” season and the lake levels are lower than usual. Along with the drier “Wet” season, TRWD has also been undergoing maintenance at the Richland Chambers Lake which has led them to pull more water form Cedar Creek Lake to make up the difference during this maintenance period. TRWD has stated this is a temporary situation not a permanent one. Now here we are at the end of April 2026 and Cedar Creek Lake is approximately 3.5ft lower than it should be. While 3.5ft in a lake this size may not seem like much, this actually equates to millions of gallons of water, water that is depended upon by many people for recreation and drinking. So, if Cedar Creek Lake is already this low, what does this mean for this summer? Some are predicting we could see lake levels as low as they were in 2011 when some water utilities had to move their raw water intakes into deeper water. As for the District and implementing water conservation efforts, we abide by Tarrant Regional Water Districts (TRWD) policies and procedures. When TRWD determines when to implement conservation efforts, it’s based on the percent capacity for Cedar Creek Lake and Richland Chambers Lake combined. When combined capacities start to drop below 75%, conservation efforts are implemented. Residents are encouraged to visit the TRWD website for more information. On the website, you can review all of Tarrant Regionals lake levels under the Lake Levels tab or you can review the capacity percentage of Cedar Creek Lake and Richland Chambers Lake under the Daily Report tab. If at any time TRWD implements any water restrictions, the District would post notices with the following: Text messaging if you signed up (Opted In) to receive them and your contact information is up to date, Facebook posts, the Districts website eastcedarcreek.net, signs posted at entrances of subdivisions, and notices at the office.
East Cedar Creek FWSD uses its website and Facebook page to try and notify customers of current events. Customers can also receive notifications through phone callouts, emails, or texts for things such as water outages, being on the disconnect list, or other events if their information is current and correct at the office. If you have any questions, or if you need to update your contact information with the office to receive these notices, please see our contact information at the end of this newsletter.
Customers may signup or “Opt In” to receive text messages. To sign up, customers must complete a request in the office giving staff permission to text messages. Customers are able to receive water outage alerts, if the customer is on the disconnect list, and other important information.
If you have issues with water moving or standing in a location, please contact us first. Staff will respond night or day to determine if there is a water leak in an area and if it is on the customer side or not. If a water leak is on our side, staff will make the necessary repairs. Depending on location and what is leaking, staff may need to excavate the area by hand digging or use an excavator, make the repair, and dress up the area. From time to time, staff may need to dress the area up several times before the area is returned to as close to the original condition or better. If the leak is on the customer’s side staff can help locate the leak but cannot help with repairs. Customers are required to have their own water cut off outside of the meter box on their lines. We recommend their cutoff be 3ft to 5ft from the meter so they can turn off the water to their lines. If a customer is found turning their water off/on in the District’s meter box, or if the angle stop is damaged due to customer usage, or a water leak occurs, customers will be charged for damages and lost water. If you need the water turned off in the Districts meter box, please contact the office and we would be happy to help. However, the District will require you to install and/or locate your customer cut off before the water is turned back on.
East Cedar Creek FWSD Contact Information
Normal Hours: M-F, 8am to 4pm, Office # 903-887-7103, email – CSR1@eastcedarcreek.net
After Hours: # 903-887-7103 (Follow the prompts for emergency on-call staff)