AUSTIN (KXAN) — A boil water notice has been issued for Austin Water users Saturday night. Additionally, emergency water restrictions have been issued, meaning residents are asked to conserve water.
A release from Austin Water says the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant is out of service due to an “internal treatment process issue that resulted in high turbidity within the plant.”
“It appears this will be over in a couple of days,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said in the release.
Austin Water says it is increasing water production at two other water treatment plants, Davis and Handcox, and managing the water pipelines to keep water service coming to customers. There have been no power disruptions at drinking water plants, as of the last time of this report.
“We have no indication that there was a contamination,” Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said Saturday night.
Meszaros said the boil water notice is not connected to the winter storm that swept through Central Texas Thursday, calling the timing “coincidental.”
This is Austin Water’s first boil water notice since the February 2021 winter storm. Austin Water issued a boil water notice that lasted nearly a week on Feb. 17, 2021 when the city’s largest water treatment plant temporarily lost electricity during winter storm power outages.
During a boil water notice, you should use bottled water or boil tap water for drinking and to prepare and cook food. When boiling water, let the water bubble vigorously for two minutes before letting it cool for use. Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice or water from a refrigerator, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
In many cases, you can use tap water to wash your hands. When it comes to bathing or showering be careful not to swallow any water. Only use boiled water to brush your teeth, the CDC says.
The CDC says it is generally safe to use laundry machines and wash clothes as normal. When it comes to your dishwasher, that too is generally safe as long as your final rinse temperatures reaches at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit, the CDC says.
The release says all Austin Water customers and retail customers of Austin Water Wholesale Districts and Utilities should follow the notice.
Here’s a list of the retail customers affected according to Austin Water:
Emergency water use restrictions were issued by Austin Water Saturday at 7:30 p.m., meaning all customers should limit indoor water usage and stop outdoor water usage.
Residents should not use water for irrigation or foundations, wash vehicles (including at commercial car wash locations), wash pavement, add water to pools and spas or operate an ornamental fountain or pond unless it’s necessary for a pet.
Commercial users should reduce water unless it’s needed for health and safety. Commercial customers should not use water for irrigation or commercial car washing. Manufacturing groups that use an average over 100,000 gallons per day should reduce water as much as possible.
Austin Water is setting up water distribution sites Saturday night for anyone who needs it at the following locations:
Potable water will also be available at those sites. Austin Water’s director said they will add more locations for water pickup Sunday.
KXAN will update this story as more information becomes available.