DEER PARK, Texas — A mandatory boil water notice was issued Wednesday for residents under the City of Deer Park public water system. The notice continued into Friday.
Officials are expected to give an update at 1:20 p.m. after they get water testing results back from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The notice was sent out after a water main break caused the system pressure to drop below 20 psi, according to a post on X by the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, Deer Park OEM posted to X that it was aware of a main water line break at the intersection of East Boulevard and X Street. This break caused the system pressure to drop, leading to the boil water notice.
Deer Park city officials said Thursday morning that pressure has been restored and the water main break was isolated. However, they have collected water samples to send off for testing, but they do not expect to get results back for 24 hours. The samples were taken shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday.
Under a boil water notice, residents must boil water before washing their hands/face, brushing their teeth, and drinking.
Officials suggest bringing water to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiling for two minutes to make sure all harmful bacteria and other microbes are destroyed.
What to do during a boil water notice
Specifics of a boil water advisory might be given by different communities, but below are verbatim standard recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.
- Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, preparing and cooking, brushing teeth and making ice. This includes water for pets.
- If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, then allow it to cool before use. (Deer Park recomments two minutes)
- Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
- Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
- Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if available.