A story in today’s paper documents problems utilities faced as severe storms last week downed water treatment plants and sewage facilities.

Two of Austin Water Utility’s water treatment plants were temporarily out of service because of power outages, and seven lift stations, which pump sewage uphill, overflowed.

But smaller utilities suffered as well.

The Barton Creek Water Plant, operated by Crossroads Utility Service, faced problems because the high turbidity of the churning water in Lake Austin made it harder than usual to clean the water. The utility was forced to supplement its water with water from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Austin Water Utility, according to Gary Spoonts, the contracts manager for Crossroads Utility Service. The Barton Creek Water Plant serves residents in the Barton Creek area in western Travis County.

Residents were asked not to use their sprinklers and some residents reported some loss in water pressure. Other than that, customers noticed no change in service, he said.