The water system in Mountain City two weeks ago failed due to a faulty pressure tank.

Residents received notice that the city had activated an emergency backup connection with Hays CISD that has existed for over 20 years.

As of Friday, Mountain City had been on the Hays CISD backup for 12 days.

This was the first time the secondary system has been used except for tests.

Mayor Phillip Taylor said the pressure tank was installed in the 1970s and was probably due for a replacement anyway. The pressure...