Zavalla, TX – The City of Zavalla is facing an $18,301 administrative penalty after a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigation identified 17 violations involving the city’s public water system.
The enforcement case followed a February 2023 complaint from a resident who reported discolored, “tea-colored” tap water accompanied by what was described as a “very strong sewage, putrid odor.”
According to state enforcement records, investigators documented problems involving the operation, security and condition of the city’s water infrastructure.
Among the violations reported were:
• Unlocked ground-storage tank roof hatches and damaged or unsecured fencing around water facilities.
• Failure to conduct required monthly flushing of dead-end water mains.
• Severely rusted storage tanks, exposed electrical wiring and failures involving testing of backflow-prevention assemblies.
• Insufficient pumping capacity to reliably meet peak hourly water demand.
TCEQ’s enforcement action also requires Zavalla to complete corrective measures on specific deadlines.
Within 30 days, the city must address exposed electrical wiring, secure facility hatches and begin required monthly flushing.
Within 60 days, officials must complete testing of backflow-prevention systems and update chemical monitoring plans.
Within 180 days, additional pumping capacity must be installed to meet state requirements.
Mayor Pam Hooks, who was not mayor when the violations occurred, said the city has been attempting to address the problems while operating without a public works director for approximately three months.
The TCEQ commissioners are scheduled to consider the penalties and requirements involving Zavalla’s public water system during an Aug. 26 meeting in Austin.