The Henderson County Water District had its best month for water loss since it began repair work, according to the superintendent on Tuesday.
Mark Julian, the district’s superintendent, said HCWD bought 44.3 million gallons of water from the Henderson Water Utility in January and sold a bit more than 40.6 million for an 8% loss—well below the water district’s goal of 15% loss or less.
(HCWD buys treated water from HWU and distributes it to county customers through its system.)
Julian said the district looks at trends over a longer term but he was excited about the 8% loss in January, saying it was the best month the water district has had in some time.
January’s income also was higher than any other month for the water district for a long time. Julian said HCWD netted slightly less than $70,000 in the month. The only other months in the past year when the water district made a profit was in August 2025 with a profit of $3,000-plus and November 2025 with a profit of $7,000-plus, he said.
Julian said at a January fiscal court meeting that December’s water loss was at about 35%. That number was up from the two months previous when 26% was lost in November and 22% in October, said the article.
Some months all the way back in summer 2024, HCWD was losing about half of what it bought before it was delivered to customers.
According to Julian, recent highlights of the work being done included the beginning of customer meter changeouts in which 1,100 meters will be replaced by the end of March. Also, hydrant inventory and maintenance is almost complete by HCWD staff, he said. Julian also said that GIS mapping of HCWD’s system is continuing.
At January’s meeting, the fiscal court approved giving the water district the second half of $3 million funding being used to overhaul HCWD’s system. The first $1.5 million was allocated in the summer when the system repair work began, and obtaining the second $1.5 million was predicated on improvements in the system. That funding was approved last month.
“It’s been impressive to watch,” Magistrate Tim Southard said at the January meeting.
Julian credited the fiscal court’s funding in allowing for him to hire more employees, more trucks and equipment—all allowing for leaks to be found and fixed more quickly.
“Really pleased with everything we’ve been able to do with your help,” Julian told the fiscal court on Tuesday.
