West Houston water leak has gradually grown into big problem since August

KHOU 11
Author: Shern-Min Chow
Published: 6:15 PM CDT October 24, 2023

HOUSTON — Residents just east of Memorial Park said they complained to the City of Houston about a water leak for months without getting any repairs.

The leak is just south of the Katy Freeway and TC Jester on Nolda Street.

The water bubbles up from the cracked asphalt and pours down the sewer drains on both sides of the street.

Bryce Baken lives three doors down from the leak.

"It was really small at the beginning, just kind of a little leak. Didn’t think much of it. Now, it’s kind of a little fountain at the beginning of our street. There’s a big pothole there now. I’ve already kinda messed up some furniture going through the pothole," Baken said.

Neighbors said the watery pothole is taking its toll on vehicles and has even started growing algae.

"I know many of our neighbors have made multiple calls to the City to get it repaired," Juan Huezo said.

Residents, like a person calling himself Common Sense Bob, have been posting on social media saying a 311 call was placed in August.

"They came and checked it once, only once. They turned off the water to the street for about probably an hour and a half and they packed up and left," Baken said.

Common Sense Bob said he got a reply in mid-October from Houston Public Works saying repairs were based on the amount of water leaked, impact and facilities served.

Still, there have been no repairs.

"It’s gonna end up becoming a sinkhole. Cars are gonna fall in there. Someone’s gonna get hurt," Huezo said.

KHOU 11 News asked Houston Public Works about the problem. The City's reply came with a chart noting Houston has repaired 5,000 leaks since June 1, during drought conditions.

The other worry Houstonians have?

"I’m hoping we're not having to pay for this in any sort of way because that would be a lot of money," Baken said.

The City's email also said the 5400 block of Nolda leak is slated to be fixed by the end of this week.

"The City of Houston has no problem charging a bill for a busted water pipe on your property but here you have gallons and gallons of water spewing out every second and no one is being held accountable," Huezo said.