WACO, Texas — Several areas around Central Texas have issued boil water advisories as a result of power outages at pumping stations. In those areas, customers are advised to bring water to a full rolling boil for at least a full minute before using it for consumption, cooking and feeding babies or pets.
People are also asked to restrict their water usage and hold off on running appliances that use a lot of water, such as washing machines, dishwashers and watering livestock, so that other people can get water.
The Texas Commission on Environment Quality requires water-providing entities notify customers to boil water in certain instances when water provided might contain bacteria or other microbes. Under a notice, the TCEQ requires that residents of the affected area boil water to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption.
The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, residents may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
Boil water notices have been issued for the following areas until further notice:
- Properties at 408 to 906 Oak Hill Drive and 700 to 716 Spring Branch Drive. A water line broke and water service will be interrupted to fix the issue. Once service is restored, all must boil water before consumption.
- LIFTED Bell-Milam-Falls WSC
- Bruceville-Eddy Water Department customers, effective Feb. 18 until further notice.
- Cego-Durango WSC in Falls County, effective Feb. 17 until further notice
- Central Texas Water Supply Corporation
- Customers: Armstrong WSC, BMF WSC, Town of Buckholts, a small portion of Belton, Dog Ridge WSC, East Bell WSC, Holland, Jarrell-Schwertner WSC, Kempner WSC, Little Elm WSC, City of Lott, O & B WSC, City of Rogers, City of Rosebud, West Bell WSC, Westphalia WSC and portions of Salado WSC.)
- LIFTED City of Temple
- LIFTED East Bell Water Supply Corporation
- LIFTED Gause WSC
- LIFTED Most properties located in Killeen, The city announced Wednesday night that the order was lifted for all of Killeen. More Info below:
- A boil-water notice is issued effective February 25 at 11:30 a.m. for properties located at 408 to 906 Oak Hill Drive and 700 to 716 Spring Branch Drive.
- LIFTED Little Elm Valley WSC, effective Feb. 16
- LIFTED Marlow WSC
- LIFTED Mooreville WSC due to loss of pressure
- LIFTED North Milam WSC
- LIFTED O&B Water Supply Corporation serving Oenaville and the Bell Falls area
- LIFTED Salem Elm Ridge WSC
- Windsor Water Supply
- LIFTED Tri-County S.U.D. water customers in Falls, Robertson, Limestone, and McLennan counties
- LIFTED Harker Heights: All properties under a boil water notice as of 11:30 p.m. Feb. 19.
- LIFTED Copperas Cove
- LIFTED Westphalia Water Supply Company
The city of Copperas Cove said water was flowing through its main lines Wednesday and that no boil water notices were in place.
Public Relations Director Kevin Keller said if residents did not have water it was likely because of internal freezing of the lines.
Keller said it was best to keep the meter on and the faucets open, as the pressure in the main line will help speed up the thawing process.
If busted pipes are experienced and the leak cannot be isolated, Water Distribution can attempt to prioritize and turn water off at the meter.
For extreme circumstances only, Keller said residents can call (254) 547-8222 opt. 1 or (254) 547-0751 to request on-call personnel.
Keller said residents on the Mountain Top (Veterans, Skyline, Freedom and surrounding area) and Turkey Run (Turkey Creek Area) Pressure Plains had extremely low pressure.
"Water is still flowing, however ever so slowly in some areas," Keller said. "Some residents may have water, while others may not."
Keller said he was notified by water officials Saturday night that an attempt is being made to slowly get water to the Mountain Top Pressure Plane. He said the process is methodical and will take time.
He went on to advise residents that they can turn faucets off once they begin getting water.
"You will experience air when you open faucets back up later, but will know your lines are not frozen and this will help conserve water to restore pressure," he said in an email. "Also, continue to monitor water lines on your property for any leaks or issues. If you experience a leak and cannot turn your water off, you may call (254) 547-8222 opt. 1 to request assistance from Water Distribution on-call staff."
Public notices will be issued when the boil water advisories are lifted.
Additional information from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to proceed during a boil water advisory is presented below.
Here's what you should do during a boil water advisory:
Boiling water during a boil water advisory
To boil water
- Fill a pot with water.
- Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
- Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute.
- Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
- Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.
Disinfecting water
If you are unable to boil your water, disinfect it instead.
If tap water is clear:
- Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
- Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
- Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
- Store disinfected water in clean container with a cover.
If tap water is cloudy:
- Filter water using clean cloth.
- Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
- Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
- Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
- Store disinfected water in clean container with a cover.
Remember that containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store safe water.
To sanitize containers:
- Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
- Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups, or about 1 liter) of water.
- Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container.
- Let the clean storage container sit at least 30 seconds, and then pour the solution out of the container.
- Let empty container air dry OR rinse it with clean water that has already been made safe, if available. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach.
Water filters
- Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove bacteria or viruses.
Preparing and cooking food
- Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or bottled water.
- Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food to cook.
- Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade
- Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.
Feeding babies and using formula
- Breastfeeding is best. Continue to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is not an option:
- Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
- Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water (see above for directions on how to use bleach to disinfect water).
- Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
- If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
Ice
• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
• Throw out all ice made with tap water.
• Make new ice with boiled or bottled water.
Bathing and showering
- Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
- Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
Brushing teeth
- Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.
Washing dishes
Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.
To wash dishes by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
- In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
- Let the dishes air dry completely.
Laundry
It is safe to do laundry as usual.
Pets
Pets can get some of the same diseases as people. It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled.
