When Williamson County’s Office of Emergency Management learned that no water would be available again today for its communities that have been out of water for days or under a boil water notice, it formed its own water brigade to distribute water. In total, approximately 5,000 gallons of water were distributed. Water distribution sites will be open again on Sunday, February 21. To check locations and schedules, go to the website.

Starting late Friday night, the County’s Emergency Response Team, which was activated for the winter storm on February 11, began identifying water tanks and trucks available in their inventory to carry water. Purchasing agents began looking for additional tanks in the area to buy. 

Saturday morning, the vehicles were dispatched to locations in the City of Round Rock, the City of Georgetown and Southwest Williamson County Regional Park. Tanks were filled with potable water to be distributed in bulk. The cities coordinated the distribution sites. The City of Georgetown established water distribution to the areas of Liberty Hill and Florence in their service area. Residents were invited to bring their own containers to fill up with water. 

In addition, Williamson County contacted Rentsch Brewery in Georgetown and Texas Beer Company in Taylor to can water for distribution. Rentsch Brewery packaged more than 10,000 cans of water. Texas Beer Company distributed 2,200 gallons to the public for them to fill with their own containers and packaged more than 8,400 cans of water. Some of those cans were given to area long-term care facilities that have been without water. 

“This could not have been possible without our public-private partnerships. We cannot thank our county employees, the cities, Texas Beer Company and Rentsch Brewery enough for their contributions to bring water to our hardest hit areas,” said Michael Shoe, Williamson County Emergency Management director.  

“Every time our community faces adversity, it also responds with heroic deeds. Today’s water distribution was such an event,” said County Judge Bill Gravell. “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that I witnessed today.”