No one likes a water leak. They can be costly, messy and are generally not a welcome sight — if, in fact, they are even in sight.
But if you have one, it’s always nice to learn so they can be dealt with. In an effort to help, during its recent meeting Oct. 15, the Annetta Town Council amended the town’s leak-detection notification policy.
Mayor Sandy Roberts noted the two biggest problems connected to water leaks are toilets and irrigation. She cited as an example a resident who had a $900 water bill when a leak was not dealt with quickly.
“Our customers allow irrigation leaks to occur for many months, and that adds up,” Roberts said, adding that “Irrigation systems can leak a very high amount of water with or without repairs.”
Councilman Danny Coffman said the state of Texas has a rule that if you put in a new irrigation system you have to have an automatic shutoff. He said he has such a device.
“When it comes on, that’s when that valve opens up to allow water to come through,” he said.
The way the system and policy works is thus:
Annetta’s system records data regularly and alerts the town when usage is irregular at any meter. Irregular usage is typically an indicator of a leak.
When such an alert is received by town officials, they attempt to notify the customer as soon as possible through contact information that is on file to investigate and resolve the leak.
Following an initial alert, a second notice will be sent within the next five business days. If the leak is large (greater than 50 gallons per hour), additional, more aggressive attempts may be made.
With a quick customer response, including an adequate repair, they may request a billing adjustment via a leak adjustment review within 30 days from the date of repairs. However, billing adjustments shall not be provided for irrigation system leaks.
This is not to be confused with the notice requirements already in place for the alerts.
Adequate communication from the customer advising of repair status may be taken under consideration for any adjustments due to scheduling issues with plumbers, difficulty finding leaks, customer out of town, etc., but not for non-communication.
Proof of repair by a dated repair service receipt with a description of the repair and receipts demonstrating appropriate parts for leak repair are required. A written statement of self-repair accompanied by receipts demonstrating appropriate parts for leak repair is also acceptable.
If major repairs are necessary, residents are asked to maintain communication with town officials. However, if after two notices with no response, the town will not offer a leak review or options for any adjustments.
Only one leak adjustment per year may be offered.
Council approved keeping The Community News as the town’s newspaper of record. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is the alternate paper.
Robert McGee was appointed by the council as the town’s representative on the Parker County Public Utilities Agency Board of Directors. He is one of the town’s water engineers who has been assisting with this process.
“We need someone who knows the ropes,” said Mayor Pro Tem, Kent Stasey, who will be the town’s alternate.
Council approved the following appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustments:
Planning and zoning: Angela Thompson (Place 1), Lee Ancona (Place 3), Stephen Barron (Place 4) and Guy Wilson (alternate).
Zoning board: Damian Martinez (Place 2), Brian Berryhill (Place 4) and Joe Heaton (alternate)
Council announced the 19th annual Mayor’s Food Drive is under way. Town officials and staff are collecting donations throughout October to help local families in need.
Folks can stop by the Annetta Town Hall to pick up a donation bag and return it with items such as cereal, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, shampoo, and deodorant. Donations will be accepted through October 31.
Council also addressed the 2026 Toys for Tots campaign. The town is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages newborn through 14 from now until Dec. 4.
Gifts for pre-teens and teens are especially needed, including sporting equipment, books, backpacks, games, electronics, and personal care gift sets.
Donations can be dropped off at Annetta Town Hall, 450 Thunder Head Lane. Please, no used toys, realistic weapons, toys containing food or candy, or chemical-based kits.
Each month the mayor and council award a free book to a youngster in town to encourage reading. This month’s winner is Emmett Klann.
The town’s Sixth Annual Halloween Costume Contest will soon be held, so it’s time to get the camera ready. To enter, submit one photo to info@annettatx.gov by noon Nov. 2.
Voting will take place Nov. 4-18 and is open to Annetta residents 18 and older, with one vote per household. The winner will be announced at the Nov. 19 city council meeting.
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