After 8 months of hazardous water leakage near a Houston school, residents now see repair efforts underway, spurred by KHOU 11’s demand for action.

After more than eight months of safety concerns, residents in Houston’s East End are finally seeing progress on a persistent water leak near a local school — just days after KHOU 11 began pressing for answers.

Neighbors said the long-standing issue had created dangerous conditions for students and families. Now, there are visible signs that repairs may be underway.


Construction begins at problem site

New activity was spotted at the location Wednesday morning.

Construction equipment has been placed at the site, and the area is now taped off as crews begin addressing the issue.

The leak had been spreading water across the sidewalk near the former Rusk Elementary campus, now home to the Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy.

That water led to algae buildup, making the walkway slippery for students, staff and families passing through the area each day.

There is no word yet on how long the repairs could take.


Safety concerns raised for months

Residents said the leak had been ongoing for at least eight months, with repeated complaints but no clear resolution.

While reporting at the scene, KHOU 11 observed multiple close calls as people tried to navigate the slick sidewalk.

“While we were out here, we saw several people nearly slip,” reporter Anayeli Ruiz said. “Residents say their biggest concern is that someone will get hurt.”

Neighbors said they reported the issue through 311 multiple times but struggled to get answers about who was responsible for fixing it.

“The city says it’s HISD’s problem. HISD says it’s the city’s problem. No one appears to be doing anything about it,” said neighbor Scott Singleton. “Everyone says it’s not my problem.”

Maria Cavanaugh, who lives nearby, said she first reported the issue months ago and expected a quick fix.

“At the beginning, we saw crews out here and were hopeful they would fix it. It’s been so long, and it hasn’t been fixed.”

Residents said the location made the situation especially concerning due to the number of students walking through the area daily.

“There are hundreds of kids who walk here. Staff crosses the street here, too. I don’t know what the holdup is,” Cavanaugh said.


Improvements come quickly after renewed attention

The latest developments come less than 48 hours after KHOU 11 began looking for a solution.

Residents had warned the standing water could worsen over time, especially as temperatures rise, increasing algae growth and attracting insects.

Parents said some children had already slipped in the area, raising urgency for a fix.

“I’ve seen kids fall. Regardless of it being an eyesore, it’s a safety hazard as well,” one parent said.


Your Voice: Have a problem that needs fixing?

If there’s an issue in your neighborhood that needs attention, KHOU 11 wants to hear from you.

Call the KHOU 11 “Your Voice” tipline at 713-521-4310. Leave your name, number, a message and the city you live in, and the team may be able to help.