Water bill hike coming. So what is the city doing with that extra money?
Houstonโs water rates are going up again in less than two weeks on April 1st. Itโs the fourth increase since September of 2021. Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains how much you can expect your bill to increase and what the city is doing with the extra money.
โWaste of taxpayerโs moneyโ: City spends money on trinkets amid water bill crisis
While Houston water customers wait for relief from inaccurate and unexplained high water bills thatโs left them โDRAINED,โ KPRC 2 Investigates has discovered the head of Houston Public Works, memorializing the department with trinkets weโre all paying for.
DRAINED: Here is how to tell if your Houston water meter has been upgraded
At the root of Houston's water bill crisis are tens of thousands of meter reading devices that are no longer functioning. More are failing every day. While Houston Public Works plans to replace the remote read devices on all 500,000 water meters, it is a slow process. We asked for the records to find out where they have already installed approximately 85,000. The water department won't alert you before they replace yours, and you may not even notice a difference when they do. In this video, we show you how you can tell if you have an old remote read sensor or a new one.
โDonโt make me fight to pay youโ: Customer says city hasnโt charged him for water in more than 2 years
Cable, electricity, gas.. if you want any of these things, you have to pay for them. But what if you used the service and never received a bill for them? Would you call the company to ask what you owe? How many times would you call? This is the same dilemma some Houston water customers are having. While many of you are feeling drained, stuck with exorbitant bills, we're hearing from other customers who say the city isn't charging them anything for water.
Public Works has $46.3 million in extra revenue. So why raise water rates again?
Each week we in our โDRAINEDโ Investigation are showing you water bills for hundreds, even thousands of dollars that are โdrainingโ Houstonians. NEW TODAY: We are asking questions about the planned water bill increases and extra city money. Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains why some are questioning whether the city needs the extra revenue.
City of Houston says water systems stable after freeze but expects increase in demand due to leaks as pipes thaw
Officials with the Houston Public Works stated that the cityโs water systems are stable following the three-day freeze but they expect to see an increase in water demand as pipes begin to thaw out and possibly cause leaks.
LIVE: Mayor Whitmire joins Houston-area public safety leaders to provide update on winter storm
Mayor John Whitmire will join leaders Tuesday from the Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, Houston Public Works, the Office of Emergency Management, and others to provide an update on the weather conditions and the cityโs preparedness and response operations.
DRAINED: Who is investigating questionable city contracts? What is the Office of the Inspector General?
When KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed the conflicts of interest to the City of Houston city leaders told us they referred the allegations to the Office of Inspector General to investigate. Now, six weeks later Investigative reporter Amy Davis is explaining what that office does and does not do.
Suspended water employee authorized $116k payment to her brother after city of Houston started investigation
Five weeks after KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered questionable connections between businesses awarded millions in waterline repair jobs and city of Houston employees, we're digging deeper to show you what city leaders have done with the information.
Houston city leaders take action on water billing issues following KPRC 2 DRAINED investigations
The Houston mayor said his administration has a plan to address high water bill issues in our city. He made the announcement late Tuesday, the same day multiple Houston City Council members submitted a notice to place water bill relief on the city council agenda. This is all a result of KPRC 2โฒs DRAINED investigations.
Houston Public Works employee relieved of duty after KPRC 2 Investigates uncovers questionable water repair contracts
Following a report by KPRC 2 Investigates which uncovered millions of dollars in city contracts related to the water department linked to questionable companies, Houston Public Works has responded.
City of Houston to enter stage 2 of Drought Contingency Plan; announces new restrictions on outdoor watering
The city of Houston is encouraging residents to conserve water due to an increased demand for water and pipe issues due to the extreme summer weather conditions, city officials shared on social media.
City of Houston rolls out sexually suggestive campaign to conserve water
โThe Give Water a Breakโ campaign is Houston Waterโs latest attempt to encourage conservation, and limit wastefulness, according to an explainer on the City of Houstonโs Public Works website. Some of the marketing material, particularly the slides engineered to be shared on social media, are spicy and sexually suggestive.
Huge hole left in busy roadway for months causing thousands of dollars in damage to vehicles
Driving to work on city streets shouldnโt be dangerous; but people who live on the cityโs southeast side say despite repeated complaints to Houston Public Works about a huge hole in a major roadway the city delayed repairs causing thousands of dollars in damage to vehicles. They reached out to KPRC 2 Investigates to get the problem smoothed out.
Amid ongoing Houston water bill woes, Houston Public Works announces events to โhelp community save moneyโ
Houston Public Works said Monday that it is hosting several events in March to highlight ways to save water and save money on your water bill, including events to learn how to fix common water leaks at home.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Received a high water bill? Hereโs how to fight it
KPRC 2 Investigates has received a flood of complaints against the city of Houston water department. Customers are calling us when they receive abnormally high, astronomical bills that they believe must be the result of a mistake or billing error. They say their calls and emails to the city go unanswered or drag on for months without resolution.
Houston Public Works to employ 150 goats to mow overgrown areas around detention ponds or high slopes
Houston Public Works announced Wednesday that itโs launching an innovative, eco-friendly, pilot program to clear high weeds and grass around detention ponds and in areas with access issues or high slopes.
At least 7 Houston apartments still without water following lastโs month winter storms
HOUSTON โ Houston Public Works has identified seven apartments that are still without water Friday following the last monthโs winter freeze. Public works crews are monitoring the apartment buildings daily to make sure plumbers are on-site and working to restore water service, Director of Communications Alanna Reed said in an email. โThe water has not been on since the first night of the freeze,โ said resident Crystal Williams. The city said if anyone is still without water, they should call 311 to report the situation. Itโs possible additional communities are having water issues but they may not have been reported yet, Reed said.
Disinfectants blamed for reports of smelly water in Houston
HOUSTON โ A higher concentration of normal disinfectants in Houstonโs water system is causing an odor that has some people concerned, according to officials. According to Houston Public Works, a blend of chlorine and ammonia, called chloramine, are used to clean surface water. Where these two water sources carrying these disinfectants combine is causing the stink. RELATED READ: Complaints of strange-smelling water across Houston area after boil water notice liftedโThis is a harmless odor that we try to avoid in our water system, but right now Houston Water is disinfecting the drinking water at higher concentrations in response to last weekโs water emergency,โ Carol Haddock, director of Houston Public Works. AdOfficials said the disinfectants are being reduced to normal concentrations, which should reduce the smell in two to three days.
Brazos Bridge on Spur 527 in Midtown reopens after monthslong repair
The Brazos Bridge on US 59 (Spur 527) that runs over Smith St and Holman St in Midtown has reopened. HOUSTON โ After monthslong repair and construction, Brazos Bridge on Spur 527 that runs over Smith and Holman streets in Midtown has reopened, according to the Houston Public Works. A hole is seen in the deck of the Brazos Bridge near Houston's Midtown neighborhood July 1, 2019. While the Brazos Bridge underwent construction, traffic was being detoured to Travis or Louisiana streets. improvement schematic designThe new construction will help slow vehicles down while turning onto Holman Street from Smith Street.
Ask 2: What are crews doing on Fountain View Drive between Westheimer, Richmond?
HOUSTON โ At KPRC 2, weโre dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: George asks, What are crews doing on Fountain View Drive between Westheimer, Richmond? Answer: Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes reached out to the City of Houston, and according to Houston Public Works, crews are will be installing sanitary sewer lines, manholes, reinforce concrete pavement, improving curbs, and adjusting water and sanitary sewer lines. Fountain View Drive constructionThe project has two phases:Phase 1: Fountain View Drive from Gulfton to Schumber Lane - Spring 2020 to Spring 2021Phase 2: Fountainview from Schumber Lane to Westheimer - Spring 2021 to Spring 2022
MAPPED: More than 100K gallons of wastewater spilled in 5 locations in Houston due to TS Beta, officials say
HOUSTON โ Houston officials say more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater have been spilled in five locations in Houston as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday due to the โintense, sustained, rainfall of greater than 10 inches in the last 24 hours,โ during Tropical Storm Beta. LIVE BLOG: Read the latest updates from the developing Tropical Depression Beta hereOfficials with Houston Public Works and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are monitoring the situation. At present, officials say if you receive your water from the city of Houston, you do not need to boil your drinking water. Hereโs a map of where the spills occurred:The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires the city to provide residents with the following information in event of a wastewater spill:
Ask 2: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act require the city of Houston to provide sidewalks?
As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act require the city to provide sidewalks? Answer: According to Houston Public Works, the answer is no. However, when the City of Houston builds a sidewalk, it must be accessible to persons with disabilities to the extent technically feasible. You can apply to request a sidewalk to be built near your neighborhood through the Houston Public Works Sidewalk Program.
Ask 2: Who comes up with timing for school zones?
Question: Who comes up with timing for school zones? Answer: Houston Public Works operates and maintains more than 1,500 school zones within the city of Houston. School zones with 20 miles per hour school speed limits are changed by request. Houston Public Works obtains school hours from the school districts and private schools prior to the beginning of each school year. Current City of Houston school zone timing:Morning times - 45 minutes before drop off and 15 minutes after drop offEvening times - 15 minutes before dismissal and 30 minutes after dismissalTimes may be longer if the school zone is shared by more than one school with different drop off/dismissal times and/or if a school has multiple drop off/dismissal times.
Call to action answered to fix dangerous intersection near Rice Univeristy
HOUSTON The intersection of Main Street and Sunset Boulevard near Rice University has a history of dangerous accidents, especially for cyclists. In fact, a science professor at Rice University died in a crash in 2017 while cycling into work. These changes come after multiple calls for safer roads west of Hermann Park near Rice University by several local organizations. The Sunset Boulevard and Main Street intersection project is part of Mayor Turners safe streets initiative. New traffic signals are also underway to help with flow and the next phase includes testing those traffic lights.
Ask 2: Why are loads of bricks being delivered around Texas?
The question: Why are loads of bricks being delivered around Texas? The city of Houston removed bricks and rocks left on roadsides, which may have been intended to be used during Tuesdayโs protests to cause damage and destruction. The Houston Public Works is asking residents to report any suspicious activity after removing several piles of bricks and rocks in Houston. AlertHouston: HPW has removed several piles of bricks and rocks from several locations in Houston this afternoon. Please call 311 (or HPD's non-emergency line, 713.884.3131), to report any suspicious activity or if you see someone leaving these items in th https://t.co/Ccqex1DY0Q โ AlertHouston (@AlertHouston) June 2, 2020
Ask 2: When are the potholes going to be fixed on Gellhorn Drive?
HOUSTON โ At KPRC 2, weโre dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things HoustonQuestion: When are the potholes going to be fixed on Gellhorn Drive between Market St and Wallisville in the Pleasantville area ? Answer: After speaking with the cityโs traffic department, Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes learned Houston Public Works continues to provide routine maintenance to Gellhorn Drive, including pothole repairs and panel replacements. Houston Public Works uses the pavement condition index, international roughness index and traffic volume data, as well as 311 call data to determine which streets need immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction. The community is urged to report potholes and street repair requests to 311.
Houston Public Works removes piles of bricks, rocks from several locations in Houston
HOUSTON โ The Houston Public Works is asking residents to report any suspicious activity after removing several piles of bricks and rocks in Houston. Officials said the bricks and rocks may have been intended to cause destruction during Tuesdayโs demonstrations in the city. Houston Public Works asks residents to call 311 or the Houston Police Department non-emergency line at 713-884-3131 to report any suspicious activity or if you see someone leaving these items in the community. Officials will dispatch a crew to immediately remove the piles of items that may be used to threaten the safety and security of the citizens of Houston.
Houstonians refuse to let city workers make sewage repair, citing coronavirus concerns
HOUSTON โ Residents in one Eastwood neighborhood have chained their fences and refuse to let city workers on the property to repair a wastewater line, citing coronavirus concerns. Go home.โHouston Public Works is trying to take care of an โurgentโ wastewater line repair that is โnecessaryโ to prevent โmajor health and safetyโ problems, a city representative said in a statement. However, Jefferson Street residents are not experiencing urgent wastewater problems, Pluecker said. When the bypass was installed, the repair was scheduled so weโd have the right crews and equipment on site. While performing the repair, the pipe will also be upsized to an 8โ pipe to support the wastewater needs of the neighborhood.
PHOTO: See a closeup image of the pipe that burst in east Houston last week causing massive flooding, water boil notice
HOUSTON โ Houston Public Works posted a photo Monday of the โculpritโ responsible for Thursdayโs water main break, which resulted in flooding and a city-wide water boil notice. Crews are replacing the damaged 8-foot pipeline with a new one on Monday. The boil water notice was lifted Saturday morning. A spokeswoman for Mayor Sylvester Turner said it will take crews about a week to complete repairs on the 8-foot water line that feeds water to the city from the Northeast Purification Plant. READ: City of Houston lifts boil water notice in place since Thursday
These maps show places that are under a boil water advisory in the Houston area
HOUSTON โ Houston Public Works and officials in Missouri City released maps showing the parts of the Houston area that are under a boil water notice after an 8-foot water main break flooded eastern parts of the city Thursday. โHouston Water crews have been able to isolate the break and water pressure should be slowly restored over the next few hours.โOfficials at Houston Public Works said areas shaded in orange on the map embedded below are included in the boil water notice. The Houston boil water notice will remain in effect until at least Saturday at 7 a.m, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a press conference Friday afternoon. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes. RELATED STORIESHigh water covers 610 East Loop and several roads in east Houston after 8-foot water main breaksHouston hospitals experiencing water issues, city clinics close Thursday after water main breakSee whatโs going on around the city as KPRC 2 reporters give latest updates after massive water main breakLIST: HISD cancels classes Friday; other businesses, restaurants closed due to water main break in east HoustonThese videos show the impact of water main break that flooded east HoustonPHOTOS: High water takes over east Houston neighborhood, roads after water main breakGet real-time Houston traffic updates