Accountability.
TENNESSEE COLONY, Texas — Water service has been restored at the Beto and Gurney units after a waterline rupture knocked out the well that supplies both East Texas prisons for nearly a week, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said.
The two units lost water on Wednesday, Oct. 21, when a ruptured line affected the shared well, according to TDCJ. The agency said it immediately began water conservation measures and sent water tankers to both prisons.
“During the outage, inmates had access to bottled water, hot meals, toilets and portable toilets and showers,” a TDCJ spokesperson told KETK.
Repair and testing
TDCJ said the mechanical problem was fixed the evening of Friday, Oct. 23, and a water sample was sent for independent quality testing. The sample came back clear on Monday, Oct. 26, and the agency said water was being restored to both units that day.
TDCJ did not say what caused the rupture or how many people at the two units were affected.
Water problems in the Tennessee Colony complex
Beto and Gurney are part of the cluster of state prisons in Anderson County near Tennessee Colony. Texas Prison News previously reported on drinking-water violations documented at the water system serving the nearby Coffield and Michael units.
Families with concerns about a loved one’s health or living conditions during the outage can contact the Office of the Independent Ombudsman at (936) 437-5620, toll-free at (833) 598-2700, or by email at io@tdcj.texas.gov.