On the 27th of November, 2022, the city of Houston, Texas issued a Boil Water Alert. Affecting 2.2 million Houstonians, the Boil Water Notice was issued after the water treatment plant East Water Purification Plant had a power outage at approximately 10:30 am Sunday, the 27th of November. The loss of power at East Water Purification Plant caused the water pressure to reach a level lower than minimum requirements. As reported in the Texas Tribune’s article regarding the Houston Boil Alert, “Low pressure hurts water quality and can be a threat to public health. A reduction or loss of pressure in a water distribution system can result in backflow, when water flows in the wrong direction allowing contaminants to enter drinking water.”
According to Houston Public Works, Houston-residing individuals should boil all water used for the following: brushing teeth, bathing, food preparation and drinking. This includes even tap water filtered by a built-in water filter at home, or a pitcher that filters water. The water used for the afore-listed activities should be at a boiling temperature for at least 3 minutes, and then allowed to cool before use. However, the use of water bottles is highly recommended over any other water, until the Boil Water Alert is lifted. Houstonians have also been instructed to restrain from using water lines that are chilled, from the refrigerator, as well as to discard ice from automated ice machines. Regarding infant feeding, breastfeeding or ready-to-use formula is optimal during this time of Boil Water Advisory in Houston, Texas.
Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, made his official statement regarding the Boil Water Alert, noting “The State of Texas is immediately responding and deploying support to Houston as they work to get a safe supply of water back online. We have been in contact with Mayor Turner to offer the full support of the state, and we’re currently working to fulfill the city’s request for help with rapid turnaround of water sample results. I thank TDEM and TCEQ for swiftly responding to help address this issue. We urge those that the boil water notice effects to continue heeding the guidance of local officials and take adequate precautions when boiling and using water. Together, we will ensure our fellow Texans are supported while the city’s water supply returns.” Houstonians are encouraged to follow the afore-mentioned boil-precautions to potentially avoid contamination, until the Boil Water Alert is lifted. The Houston, Texas Boil Water Alert is expected by public water authorities to be lifted by Tuesday, November 29th, 2022.
