Arlington Joins North North Texas Cities Issuing Boil Water Orders, After Water Main Breaks & Low Pressure Issues
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) — As if there weren't enough to worry about with hazardous driving conditions and power outages across North Texas -- the water situation in many communities has actually worsened.
Just before the lunch hour on Wednesday the city of Arlington joined the list of North Texas cities who have issued boil water notices.
The statement from Arlington said, in part —
"Due to unprecedented demand and a possible major water main break, some Arlington Water Utilities customers may be without water service. For those with water, pressure may be reduced and tap water must be boiled prior to consumption . The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires that a boil water notice be issued because of a recent pressure drop in the distributions system for the City Arlington.
This order advises all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions."
Fort Worth does have water flowing again from its Eagle Mountain Treatment Plant, but it takes some time to fill the water towers and lines so boil water notices will remain in place until all of the systems are pressurized and tested.
Those boil water notices have spread to more water systems. Officials in Richland Hills issued the order because they say rolling power outages have impacted the city's ability to treat and move water to consumers. The city of Springtown, in Parker County, issued the order after the water facility there lost power. After water pressure dropped in Pelican Bay the city notified customers that they should boil their water before use. The city of Princeton, in Collin County, is also asking residents to boil their water because there isn't enough electricity to power the city's water pumps.
Officials are asking that everyone conserve water as much as possible to prevent the possibility of a water outage.
While no boil orders have been issued in the Dallas area, several cities that get their water from Dallas are asking people to conserve what they use because widespread power outages and broken water lines are impacting that system as well.
Workers are trying to ensure that the water pressure doesn't drop too low and lead to possible contamination.
The boil notices are expected to be in place at least through the end of the day Wednesday.
