Austin’s main water treatment facility, Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, has lost power.
Due to this, water pressure has dropped below minimum standards. Accordingly, the City of Austin has issued a boil water notice. [Featured image: @yosefariel via Unsplash]
This means that the city’s water supply could be potentially contaminated. As such, the city advises residents to drink bottled water or boil water from the tap before consumption.
The CDC recommends the following practices during a boil water notice:
- Drink bottled water is possible
- Heat water to a full boiling point for at least one minute – even if tap water is filtered.
- Refrain from using any water appliance connected to water line – including refrigerator-produced ice and water
- If feeding an infant, breastfeeding is the optimal option. Otherwise, feed the child with ready-to-use formula
“To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes,” Austin Water recommends.
Other safe practices include the following:
Bathing/Showering
- Do not swallow any water from the faucet
- Be extra careful when bathing infants; sponge baths reduce chances of the baby ingesting water
Brushing Teeth
- Boil water before brushing teeth or use bottled water
Handwashing
- Use hand sanitizer if possible
- You can use tap water with soap; scrub thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
Washing Dishes
- Use disposable plates, utensils, and cups if possible
- Dishwashers are safe to use if final rinse temperature reaches a minimum of 150 degrees, or is sanitizing cycle is an option
Cleaning
- When cleaning surfaces and washable toys without bottled or boiled water, disinfect tap water with bleach
Pets
- Use same measures as with a person when providing drinking water to pets, i.e. providing bottled water or boiled water that has been cooled (including filtered tap water)