City of Greenville issues boil water notice citywide
Jul. 6—The City of Greenville on Saturday morning issued a boil water notice to all residents after water pressure dropped below 20 psi in the distribution system.
The Texas Commission on Environment Quality requires water-providing entities to 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 the destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes; water for drinking, cooking, and ice-making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption.
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. Should you need to contact the public works department, call the after-hours number at (903) 457- 2900.
The boil notice will continue until further notice and the situation is remedied.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here's what you should do 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 I 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, you can disinfect it to make it safe to drink.
If the tap water is clear:
—Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
—Add 1/8 drops or 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 a clean, sanitized container with a cover.
If the tap water is cloudy:
—Filter water using a clean cloth.
—Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
—Add 16 drops, 1.5 milliliters, or 1/4 teaspoon 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 a clean, sanitized 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 one 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 the solution coats the entire inside of the container.
—Let the storage container sit for at least 30 seconds, and then pour the solution out of the container.
—Let the empty container air-dry before use 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. If you do not have bottled water, use boiled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil it (see above for directions on how to use bleach to disinfect the water).
—Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
—If you cannot sterilize bottles, try using single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
Ice:
—Do not use ice from ice trays, 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 are generally 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 dishes as you normally would using hot water.
—In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of 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.
