HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) – A 75-year-old woman in north Houston has been without running water for two years because she couldn’t afford to fix a burst pipe.
Two weeks ago, Action 13 visited Angelica Pena’s home, where ABC13 found that she had collected rainwater in barrels and used it for bathing, washing dishes and flushing toilets.
Aid poured in just minutes after the original story aired, and now the once-water-filled barrels are just regular old trash cans again.
AAA Plumbing is spending the week at Pena’s home where workers are completely replacing the plumbing and installing a new water heater and bathtub.
“After two years of just lying there, the entire fixture came loose,” said lead plumber David Paulsel.
He spent the day under the house cutting down old rusted pipes and pulling out those that were completely rusted. After two years of not using the system, the problems originally reported by ABC13 got worse.
“Whenever I got under the house, I saw broken pipes, unconnected sewers, old pipes, some new ones. Just a collection of problems,” said Paulsel.
AAA Plumbing will do a $10,000 job for free. Albert Flores, who translated for Pena, said her mood and attitude had improved drastically over the past few weeks.
“First thing she’s going to do is take a shower,” Flores translated for Pena when asked what the first thing she would do with running water. “She thanks you a thousand times over for everyone out there watching because without her this wouldn’t be happening.”
Running water is expected to flow at Pena’s house this Friday. Meanwhile, ABC13 knows others in Houston need help, too. We’ve listed the following resources that you may find helpful.
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abc13.com
https://abc13.com/action-13-aaa-plumbing-angelica-pena-burst-pipe-in-houston/13289949/
