BUDA, Texas — Businesses in downtown Buda are clear to use their water normally again after the city lifted a boil water notice after two days.
The notice was lifted Friday afternoon after a water line break affected Main Street in the downtown area. Officials said a crack appeared in the pipe, which led to the leak, but crews repaired it within hours.
While the pipe was fixed days ago, restaurants had to adjust quickly until water could be used normally again. Brooklyn's Down South had to close early after losing water pressure Wednesday night.
“The water actually came back on about 30 minutes later, so they were able to clean up, and get everything settled in," manager Mirna Limas said. "Then we went on a boil water notice around midnight."
Limas said in the restaurant business, they’re used to being thrown curveballs.
“It's just a few adjustments," Limas said. "There are certain things you can't serve, but technically you could still run a restaurant."
For one, Limas said washing dishes or brewing coffee was no problem because they already have the equipment that can get hot enough to sanitize dishes, brew tea or coffee, and cook food that uses water. While they couldn't use their soda machine, Limas said they already carry canned and bottled products. They only had to buy extra ice and bottled water.
The Buda Soda Fountain said they were fortunate in dealing with the water boil advisory too.
“All of our products are ready-to-eat here, so it's a matter of assembling. So, we're not cooking on site,” manager Mallory Barnett said.
However, they took extra precautions when it came to sanitization, which requires a lot of water. Barnett said they boiled the water they mixed with their sanitization solution and tested it to make sure it was the correct pH level.
To not have to wash dishes, Barnett said they made everything disposable as far as paper plates, along with plastic cups and cutlery. However, she said it could've been a lot worse.
“If we close, we lose money. And if we close, our customers lose that opportunity to come and want to support a local business," Barnett said. "When it comes to things like this, just like COVID, you adapt, you make changes and you do what you have to succeed."
Buda's Public Works Director Blake Neffendorf said for the upcoming winter, any pipes that are above ground will be wrapped and well-insulated as temperatures drop to prevent any other types of pipe breaks. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact public works at 512-312-2876 or Neffendorf at bneffendorf@budatx.gov.