The water pipes are in the ground but there's nothing running, and those who live in Las Colonias want to know why.

Turns out gunshots and stolen wires have caused setbacks to a major water project meant to bring service to the area.

KFOX14 first told you about the Sand Hills Water Improvement project in August 2011.

The United States Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with the Lower Valley Water District, are working together on the $10 million project meant to bring water service to 380 people who live in the colonias.

The project is split in to two phases. Phase one started in December and 180 residents who live in Acension or Colonia Del Paso should have had water by the end of July. But there were problems soon after it got started in January.

One of the two tanks being built for this phase was put on the wrong property.

Fernando Sanchez, interim manager of the Lower Valley District, said the problem was fixed and the project was on track until mid-July, when the second tank installed was vandalized.

"We had the pump station broken into. There was some electrical wires taken from it and also our tanks were being shot at so the contractor has his job to fix that before we can do anything else," said Sanchez.

San Juana and Antelmo Chairez live off Acension Park, one of the areas meant to get service in the first phase, and their family is tired of waiting.

"We were content. All the people and all of us that have been waiting for so long for this. We've lived here about 30 years. Living here were struggling with the water and paying a lot for it. It's really expensive," said San Juana.

"I just want to see water in my house. I don't want to see my family struggle anymore. I want them to tell us when they'll connect the service," said Antelmo.

Sanchez said contractors are looking at what repairs need to be made but there is no telling when that will be done. Meanwhile they are trying their best to move forward to complete the project as a whole.

"We're hoping that we can be successful in what we're doing but sometimes you have some unforeseen things that delay the project, that we cannot control. None the less were still going to proceed with phase two, with the bidding process and so forth so we can get the teams together," said Sanchez.

Phase two will provide service for four other colonias; College Park, Darrignton Park, Dairyland and Vista Larga.