Campus Residents Asked To Conserve Water

Aggieland remains under a winter storm warning as dangerous weather sweeps across the region, canceling classes and shutting down Texas A&M University.

It was announced earlier in the week that virtual and in-person classes for Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 18 would be canceled not only because of ice on the roadways, but because of inconsistent access to power and WiFi among faculty and students. A decision will be made late Thursday afternoon about whether classes will resume virtually Friday.

Only essential personnel are being asked to go in to work as the historic storm makes its way through the region. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens overnight both Thursdsay and Friday as another cold front hits.

A&M officials are urging campus residents to conserve water, and postpone any unnecessary use of water, such as doing laundry and taking a shower. The university, which has had power throughout the week, started experiencing power outages at water wells and water leaks in campus buildings, resulting in critically low levels.

Any storm damage such as leaks on the Bryan-College Station campus can be reported to the facilities communications center at 979-845-4311. Please include your name, phone number, building name and/or number, and detailed information about damage to include room and floor information as appropriate. Please specify if there is standing water or running water.

Campus Resources

• Reed Arena opened up as a warming center for anyone in the community — including those not affiliated with Texas A&M — to stay until the worst of the dangerous weather passes Friday. The weather was expected to clear up by Thursday, but temperatures are expected in the teens overnight, so the facility will remain open another day. The effort is in partnership with the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Brazos Valley Food Bank. There are no beds/cots at the site and a limited number of blankets.
• Dining halls are open. For the most up-to-date dining hours, visit the dining website.

Conserve Water

The cities of Bryan and College Station are asking customers throughout Aggieland to cut back on non-essential water use due to high demand.

Some residents have been asked to boil their water before drinking or using for food preparation because of potential biological contamination caused when the pressure is reduced in the distribution system. More information can be found here.

As the weather warms up just a little, frozen pipes are thawing out, likely leading to leaks driving the demand.

• Faucets left running inside and outside to prevent pipes from freezing, should be turned off or curtailed to a slow drip.
• If you find a leak, locate and turn off the main water source to the house or notify your apartment complex/landlord. The cut-off is usually located between the house and water meter, sometimes in the same box as the meter or a nearby box.
• Water leaks in College Station can be reported at 855-528-4278. Select option 2 to report a problem.
• In Bryan, for leaks on public property call 979-209-5900 or report online.

COVID-19

All faculty, staff and students are reminded to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and others from the virus. Continue to physically distance, wear a mask if within six feet of others, wash your hands often and refrain from gatherings, especially indoors. Up to date information is posted on A&M’s guidance page.

Avoid Driving

If travel is absolutely necessary, road and travel conditions should be monitored via the Texas Department of Transportation at drivetexas.org or call toll free at 800-452-9292 before leaving.