COMAL COUNTY, Texas -- The existence of zebra mussels was confirmed during the summer 2017 in the Canyon Lake Reservoir.
- Mussels blocking lake intake pipes
- Water quality not affected
- Customers asked to reduce water use
The Canyon Lake Water Service Company said that zebra mussels reproduce quickly and will have harmful economic, environmental and recreational impacts on reservoirs and rivers. The company said that the mussels can cover shoreline rocks and litter beaches with sharp shells, clog public water intakes, and damage boats and motors.
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In a Facebook post, the company said it discovered that zebra mussels were beginning to block lake intake pipes at the Canyon Lake Shores Treatment Plant. The plant supplies water to customers on the north side of Canyon Lake as well as the Highway 281 corridor from the Comal County/Blanco County line south to Bulverde.
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The company reported that the blockage has become critical and it is currently working to remove the mussels. Due to this action, water production has been temporarily restricted and water storage has been reduced. The company said that water quality is not impacted, but to help maintain water storage levels it is asking customers to limit water use to essential indoor use only until further notice.
“We’ve taken the treatment plant offline so we can start pulling the pumps. We have to actually pull the pumps. They’re submersible pumps they’re in the water," Larry Jackson a customer service manager. "We have to take them out of the water. We have to inspect them and we have to clean them to make sure they’re operating correctly then we’ll put them back in operation. It’s going to take a couple days. We’ve got three pumps out there so we’re going to inspect all three.”
Anyone with any questions is asked to contact their business office at 830-312-4600.