Ask the Water Supervisor

KYLE FLANAGAN

Kyle Flanagan, City of Southlake Water Supervisor, has worked for the City of Southlake for 21 years and has been the Water Supervisor for 12 years. He’s here to answer some common questions we receive from the Southlake community.

What makes you proud to work in the water industry?

“I get the most satisfaction knowing we are delivering the best product possible that is safe and at a fair cost to our customers using new techniques and technologies. Couple that with having the most qualified, dedicated team and we have a winning combination.”

Why are fire hydrants sometimes left running?

“It is important to know that water has a shelf life, much like milk. Water quality can degrade over time if it remains in storage tanks and pipelines too long. We constantly sample water quality throughout our water distribution system. This sampling, coupled with the use of historical water use patterns and other behind-the-scenes monitoring allows us to take proactive measures to ensure you receive safe, drinkable water. As such, you will see a typically see a hydrant left on during the winter months when water demand is low to ensure the water is fresh in that area.”

Why is my water cloudy or milky sometimes?

“While this is not typical, it can happen occasionally. Cloudy water is an indication of air being trapped in the pipes. This usually occurs when there is a service disruption in the area, such as a water main break or having your meter replaced. Water personnel are trained to remove the air trapped in pipes as much as possible before leaving the jobsite. Give us a call if you experience cloudy water, so we can help.”

Why is my water bill so high?

“While there is not just one right answer for this, the most common cause of high-water bills can be attributed to sprinkler systems. Another common cause includes larger leaks that significantly impact a water bill, but can usually be found easily. Sprinkler systems typically use anywhere from 15-25 gallons per minute (gpm) depending on the size of the zone and size of the sprinkler heads. So even if you had a zone that consumed only 15gpm and ran that zone for 1 hour, you’d consume 900 gallons just in one hour of watering. You can easily see how a water bill can significantly increase before you ever use a drop in the home. The City also has tiered billing rate that may impact your water bill. We offer many services and programs for customers to help identify and fix leaks to keep those bills in check. Give us a call to learn more!

What can I do if I think my water is unsafe to drink?

“If you ever have a question or concern whether your water is safe to drink, please call us. We closely monitor the water quality here in Southlake. Our number is 817-748-8082.”