NEDERLAND, Texas — Public water systems across Southeast Texas have notified their customers to boil their water as a result of the severe winter weather.
Below is a list of cities across the area that have been issued a boil water notice and instructions from the Centers for Disease Control to help residents safely deal with the water.
Boil Water Notices lifted:
Feb. 24, 2;30 p.m. — South Newton Water Supply Corporation has received the all clear and has lifted its boil water notice.
Feb. 23, 12:50 p.m. — Evadale Water Control Improvement District 1 has received the all clear and has lifted its boil water notice.
Feb. 23, 12:15 p.m. — The City of Orange has received the all clear and has lifted its boil water notice according to a Facebook post from Mayor Larry Spears, Jr.
Feb. 23, 11:50 a.m. — Orange County's Northwest Forest has lifted their boil water notice.
Feb. 22, 2:30 p.m. — The City of Groves has received an all clear from TCEQ, and the boil water notice has officially been lifted. The water is now safe to drink in Groves, the Groves Fire Department said.
Feb. 22, 1:15 p.m. — Mauriceville Municipal Utility District has conducted all the required flushing and testing of our water system. We are now officially rescinding the boil water notice issued on February 17, 2021. Water can now be used for all purposes. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Mauriceville Municipal Utility District, General Manager, Brad Haeggquist, Water Manager, Johnney Davis or Office Manager, Christy Davis at 409-745-4882.
Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. — The City of Beaumont lifted its boil water notice effective immediately, Mayor Becky said. Check the City of Beaumont website and social media for tips on what to do after a boil water notice has been lifted. Please continue to report leaks to Beaumont 311.
Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. — CORRECTION: The City of Groves is still under a boil water notice. Continue to boil your water before drinking. The water plant is testing the water, but we have not been cleared by TCEQ.
Feb. 21, 5 p.m. — The City of Port Arthur lifted its boil water notice.
Feb. 21, 3 p.m. — The boil water notice for the City of Kountze has been lifted.
Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m. — The City of Nederland and West Jefferson County Municipal Water District lifted their boil water notices
Feb. 21, 10:45 a.m. — Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 lifted their boil water notice after providing TCEQ with test results that indicate the water no longer needs to be boiled. Anyone with questions should contact (409) 769-2669.
Feb. 20, 4:45 p.m. — The Port Arthur Water Utilities has restored the quality of the water for human consumption purposes only in the areas of the City North of Hwy 73 and provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of Feb 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm.
Feb. 20, 4 p.m. — The City of Port Neches is discontinuing the boil water notice effective immediately. Samples taken from the water system were tested and meet TCEQ requirements. For the next day, please continue to conserve water. Report any leaks to (409) 722-4024. The City appreciates your assistance and patience.
Feb. 20, 1 p.m. — The City of Port Arthur lifted the boil water notice for parts of the city. The public water system has restored water quality only in areas north of Highway 73, from the Bob Bowers Civic Center line going north. The city says lab results indicate that the water in the area mentioned no longer needs boiling prior to use as of 1 p.m. Saturday.
Feb. 20, 12:45 p.m. — The City of China ended their boil water notice. City Secretary Dawn Matte said in an email that the water is safe.
Feb. 19, 3 p.m. — Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2 lifted their boil water notice after TCEQ reviewed lab results indicating the water no longer needs to be boiled.
Boil water notices issued:
- South Newton Water Supply Corporation issued a boil-water notice affecting the Deweyville area on Thursday morning, Feb 18.
- West Jefferson County Municipal Water District issued a boil-water notice Thursday morning, Feb. 18, that includes Cheek, Fannett, LaBelle and Hamshire.
- Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 issued a district-wide Boil Water Notice Wednesday, Feb. 17.
- The City of Orange issued boil water notice, according to a Facebook post Wednesday, Feb. 17.
- Orange County's Northwest Forest Municipal Utility District is also under a boil water notice until further notice.
- Jefferson County Water Control Improvement District 10 issued a boil water notice at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. due to a system pressure loss from broken lines from winter weather.
- The City of Beaumont issued a boil water notice at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 due to low water pressure caused by water line breaks from severe winter weather and freezing temperatures. The city announced that the water system is pumping higher amounts of water than normal, but still has lower pressure than normal. "Please use conservation measures, turn off dripping faucets and report leaks to 311," Beaumont Police Officer Carol Riley said.
- The City of Port Arthur issued a boil water notice for its residents effective Wednesday morning due to "extreme weather conditions associated with the current winter storm and multiple water main leaks." The city also noted that the system MAY need to be shut down completely to make some repairs.
- The City of Port Neches issued a boil water notice due to a loss of water pressure from broken water lines at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.
UPDATE: Feb. 17, Wednesday 4:45 p.m. update - City personnel are continuing to restore water psi throughout the distribution system. Water towers continue to be filled and some hydrants will be opened to release air.
Once levels rise, samples will be sent to TCEQ to be tested to remove the boil water notice. - The City of Groves went under a boil water notice at 8 p.m. Tuesday. City officials asked residents to not drip their faucets. Anyone who needs assistance with their meter should call (409) 960-5718. UPDATE: Feb. 17, Wednesday 4:30 p.m. - Groves Water Plant is making slow but steady progress. Please continue to conserve water, and do not drip pipe. Report any broken lines or water line problems to city at (409) 960-5718 or (409) 960-5704.
- The City of Anahuac issued a boil water notice around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday due to low system pressure after complications from freezing weather. Anyone with questions should contact Sidney Bradley at (409) 277-9079.
- City of Nederland customers are advised to boil water before consumption "due to a loss of system pressure as a result of extensive waterline breaks," according to a release. Nederland residents with questions may contact Water Plant Supervisor Robert Sangster at (409) 723-1540. If a customer wishes to contact the TCEQ, they may call (512) 239-4691.
- The City of Kountze issued a boil water notice at the direction of The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality due to reduced distribution system pressure. Kountze residents with questions can contact Tim Drake at Kountze City Hall at 409-246-3463. If a customer, individual, or employee wishes to contact the executive director, call (512) 239-4691.
- City of Silsbee is asking residents/businesses to reduce water consumption the next 24-48 hours to possibly prevent a boil water notice due to water demand and water line breakage.
- Trinity Bay Conservation District issued a boil water notice for customers in Winnie and Stowell communities around noon Tuesday due to low water pressure. Anyone with questions should contact the Trinity Bay Conservation District Office at (409) 296-3602 or general manger James Gibson at (409) 656-1794 or plant operations supervisor Mike Will at (409) 658-3677.
- West Orange issued a boil water notice around noon Tuesday due to residual chlorine from a booster pump going down. This area is served by the Orange County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2. Anyone with questions should contact office manager April Lombardo at (409) 883-4003.
- City of Orange issued a boil water order Wednesday morning due to low pressure and low chlorine residual.
- Mauriceville Municipal Utility District issued a boil water notice at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16. due to low water pressure caused by Entergy power outages, residents dripping faucets to avoid frozen pipes as well as broken pipes leaking. Anyone with leaks at their home or business should turn off their water, the district said. If assistance is needed in turning the water off, call (409) 745-4882, the district said in a Facebook post.
- City of China is under a boil water notice, according to city secretary Dawn Matte.
This is a developing story. Officials will notify the public of an update when the boil water notice has been lifted.
Often when a municipal water system experiences a water main or line break or experiences a drop in water pressure a "Public Notice to Boil Water" is issued.
12News will share this article via Facebook and Twitter and include specific information about the location and water system contact info for the boil-water notice on the social media post.
Here are some tips for dealing with a boil-water notice from the CDC...
Boiling 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 2 minutes.
- 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.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality sets mandatory language for such a notice.
