Communications failure to blame in mutliple water main breaks for Devine

By Anton Riecher
A communications breakdown between Devine city public works and the construction company handling refurbishing of the city water storage tank near Warhorse Stadium resulted in multiple water main breaks and a weekend boil notice, city officials reported during the Devine City Council special meeting Monday.
Hondo-based MGB Construction failed to notify public works officials that it had closed two key values causing a pressure buildup that weakened and ruptured three 12-inch water mains ruptures at various times, City Public Works director Pete Sanchez told the council.
“We didn’t know anything about it,” Sanchez said.
City Administrator David Jordan read a statement issued by Jourdanton-based 6S Engineering after a meeting with city officials and MGB earlier Monday. The statement notes that the construction plans require that any shutdown of water mains must be coordinated with the city of Devine with notice given at least one week in advance.
“This notification did not occur,” the statement reads. “The city public works staff and 6S Engineering were not aware of the upcoming shutdown until after it had already occurred.”
In other action during the special meeting, the city council approved the proposed tax rate and budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026.
Regarding the water line breaks, Mayor Butch Cook said…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!