System maintenance for the Georgetown water system will begin July 8 and last through Aug. 8, according to a city news release.

The maintenance uses chlorine to disinfect and clear sediment from drinking water.

Something to note: The chlorine concentration of the water will remain within state and federal drinking water standards, meaning it is safe for people, pets and plants, according to the release.

Residents may notice a chlorine odor and a green or brown tint to the water at points during the system reset. The chlorine-treated water is not safe for fish tanks.

For dialysis patients and centers, all chemical disinfectants must be removed before the water is used in dialysis machines.

Why it matters: The free chlorine rinse is a normal part of water system maintenance recommended by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the release states.

For questions and concerns about the system maintenance, residents can email Georgetown Customer Care.

The Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Georgetown will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this month. 

The details: The hotel opened July 28, 2016. With 222 rooms and 11 suites, Sheraton is the only full-service hotel in Georgetown. The hotel also features two restaurants and bars, a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, lounge and other amenities.  

Its conference center has 30,000 square feet of space available to rent for events. 

• 1101 Woodlawn Ave., Georgetown

When Jennifer Bittner moved to the Austin area in June 2023, she feared her family would need to make frequent, hours-long trips to Houston to access specialized care for her children.

Bittner, who has three medically complex children, said specialty services were still expanding when her family first settled into the area.
“When we first moved here … [Texas Children’s] wasn’t finished yet, so we were really concerned that we’d be traveling back and forth to Houston every couple of months,” she said.

Today, Bittner’s family makes just two trips to Houston each year for care related to her sons’ rare disease. Both boys receive regular care at Austin’s Texas Children’s Hospital while her daughter receives care at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Central Austin.
For families like the Bittners, the opening of new hospitals in the Austin metro has expanded access to specialized programs much closer to home.

By the numbers: Between 2017 and 2024, Williamson County’s child population increased by 19.2%, or 26,034.

Check out Austin area stories trending June 29-July 2.

1. Plans filed for proposed gas station, retail center near Hutto-Georgetown-Round Rock border

2. Developer of The Domain partners with legacy family on 1,200-acres

3. Dirty soda drink shop to open in San Marcos

4. Lagoon-anchored Leander Springs development advances to Leander City Council

5. Hopdoddy Burger Bar acquired by New York-based restaurant group

6. Closer to care: Bastrop explores path to full-service hospital