Check current boil water notices across Houston area

KATY, Texas — With temperatures remaining below freezing, we're seeing boil water notices in parts of the Houston area.  We're keeping a running list of them below. 

Willow Creek Farms Municipal Utility District

The Willow Creek Farms Municipal Utility District in the Katy area issued a boil  water notice at 8:45 a.m. The Willow Creek MUD posted a notification at 7 a.m. about the concern over water pressure.

A lawyer speaking on behalf of the MUD says an electrical issue with a booster pump at their water plant caused a break in the pump’s shaft, which led to the drop in water pressure.  He says the MUD is working to determine the cause of that electrical issue.

According to an attorney specializing in local governments, like MUDs, who is familiar with the situation, water pressure has returned to a normal level but testing is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to lift the boil water notice.

They said the TCEQ process typically takes somewhere between 24 and 48 hours, but freeze conditions impacting other water systems in Texas may impact that timeline.

Fulshear MUD 3A

Fulshear MUD 3A announced on Friday that a boil water notice had been rescinded. They said testing from a TCEQ lab indicates that water in this district no longer needs to be boiled before consumption.

Here's more information for this notice. 

Flamingo Lake community in Montgomery County

The Flamingo Lake public water system is notifying customers to boil their water prior to consumption.

What to do when a boil water notice is issued

Specifics of a boil water advisory might be given by different communities, but below are verbatim standard recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

• Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, preparing and cooking, brushing teeth and making ice. This includes water for pets.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, then allow it to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
• Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if available.

Handwashing

• In many situations, you can use tap water and soap to wash your hands. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and rinse them well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

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

• If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
• Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65.55°Celsius), or if the dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
• Sterilize all baby bottles.
  • 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 before using again.

Laundry

• It is safe to wash clothes as usual.

Cleaning

• Use bottled water, boiled water, or water that has been disinfected with bleach pdf icon[PDF – 1 page] to clean washable toys and surfaces.

Caring for pets

• Pets can get sick by some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Provide bottled or boiled water after it has been cooled for pets to use.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes), then allow it to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

Caring for your garden and houseplants

• You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.