The Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) was called to Cumby, a small community in Hopkins County northeast of Dallas, during the hard freeze in mid-January to help repair four water main breaks, which shut down the city’s water system for three days. Today, staff from the TEEX Extension Program in water and wastewater continue to assist the Cumby public works team with training and technical assistance to ensure that the community’s water system is running smoothly. These services are provided through funding from the state of Texas.
The TX-PWRT is a joint response team sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). The TX-PWRT was deployed to Cumby on January 17, 2024, after Hopkins County issued a local disaster declaration due to multiple breaks in the city’s water lines because of severe winter weather.
“The TX-PWRT determined why the water system’s tanks were not holding water, restored operations, and helped the Cumby public works team optimize the chlorine in the drinking water to ensure it was safe for residents,” said Bill Long, TX-PWRT water and wastewater group lead and program director in TEEX’s Infrastructure Training and Safety division. “Once our six-member response team got the system back up and running, TEEX conducted an audit for the city to identify a training and technical assistance plan moving forward.”
Jason Barber, TEEX regional manager for TEEX Region 1 where Cumby is located, is implementing this plan by providing on-site training and technical guidance to Cumby water personnel so they can earn their certified water professional license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. TEEX is also providing wastewater and heavy equipment training for the city.
“The TEEX Public Works Response Team played a crucial role in restoring water to the City of Cumby during the January freeze. The team was quick to respond, well-equipped, and operated flawlessly. They led us through many repairs, including main line breaks and chlorine system malfunction,” said Cumby City Secretary Miranda Randle. “TEEX Regional Manager Jason Barber has led our public works team with his expertise in training, repairs and continued guidance. With the assistance we’ve received, our water quality has improved immensely. The City of Cumby could not have made it through this disaster without the TEEX team!”
About the TX-PWRT:
TX-PWRT is a state asset sponsored by TEEX and TDEM that is deployed by the Texas State Operations Center to support local jurisdictions during catastrophic events. TX-PWRT members are experienced and knowledgeable in public works activities such as utilities (electrical, water, wastewater, storm water, environmental safety and compliance, and communications); debris clearance; structural safety; transportation systems; heavy equipment operators; fire control operations; and logistical support.
About the TEEX Extension Program:
The TEEX Extension Program keeps Texas prepared by helping communities solve local problems in the areas of critical infrastructure, water and wastewater management and recovery, fire and emergency services, and law enforcement and protective services. This state-funded program has a robust network of regional managers and coordinators who live and work in their regions. They provide on-site classroom and hands-on training and technical assistance, including planning, assessments, troubleshooting and repair and recovery.
Distributed by:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Vita Vaughn | Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO
[email protected]