(a) Service interruptions.      
        (1) Every utility or water supply or sewer service corporation shall make all reasonable efforts to prevent interruptions of service. When interruptions occur, the utility shall reestablish service within the shortest possible time.       
        (2) Each utility shall make reasonable provisions to meet emergencies resulting from failure of service, and each utility shall issue instructions to its employees covering procedures to be followed in the event of emergency in order to prevent or mitigate interruption or impairment of service.       
        (3) In the event of national emergency or local disaster resulting in disruption of normal service, the utility may, in the public interest, interrupt service to other customers to provide necessary service to civil defense or other emergency service agencies on a temporary basis until normal service to these agencies can be restored.       
      (b) Record of interruption. Except for momentary interruptions due to automatic equipment operations, each utility shall keep a complete record of all interruptions, both emergency and scheduled. This record shall show the cause for interruptions, date, time, duration, location, approximate number of customers affected, and, in cases of emergency interruptions, the remedy and steps taken to prevent recurrence.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §24.171 adopted to be effective October 17, 2018, 43 TexReg 6826