Boil Water Notice for Community Public Water Systems
City issues boil water notice to Portland residents
August 6, 2021
PORTLAND, TX – Due to reduced system pressure and supply beginning at approximately 5:45 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of Portland Public Water System (PWS) #2050005 to notify 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).
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.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people not on Facebook or do not have access to internet). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail or sharing on social media.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the City of Portland at (361) 777-4601 during regular business hours or (361) 777-4444 after hours. The City of Portland is issuing this Boil Water Notice as a precautionary measure as we work to restore conditions post severe winter weather event.
Media representatives may contact Shelby O’Brien at (361) 777-4582 or by email at shelby.obrien@portlandtx.gov for more information.
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SPANISH
Aviso de agua hirviendo para sistemas de agua públicos comunitarios
La ciudad emite aviso de agua hirviendo a los residentes de Portland
6 DE AUGUST DE 2021
PORTLAND, TX – Debido a la reducción de la presión y el suministro del sistema a partir de aproximadamente las 5:45 a.m. del viernes 6 de August de 2021, la Comisión de Calidad Ambiental de Texas (TCEQ) ha requerido que el Sistema Público de Agua (PWS) de la Ciudad de Portland (PWS) no 2050005 notifique a todos los clientes a hervir agua antes de hervir el agua (por ejemplo, lavado de manos/cara, cepillarse las manos, beber, etc.). Los niños, las personas de la tercera edad y las personas con sistemas inmunitarios debilitados son particularmente vulnerables a las bacterias dañinas, y todos los clientes deben seguir estas instrucciones).
Para garantizar la destrucción de todas las bacterias dañinas y otros microbios, el agua para beber, cocinar y hacer hielo debe hervirse y enfriarse antes de su uso con fines de agua potable o consumo humano. El agua debe ser llevada a ebullición vigorosa y luego hervida durante dos minutos.
En lugar de hervir, los individuos pueden comprar agua embotellada u obtener agua de alguna otra fuente adecuada para fines de agua potable o consumo humano.
Cuando ya no sea necesario hervir el agua, los funcionarios del sistema público de agua notificarán a los clientes que el agua es segura para fines de agua potable o consumo humano.
Una vez que el aviso de agua hirviendo ya no está en vigor, el sistema público de agua emitirá un aviso a los clientes que rescinde el aviso de agua hirviendo de una manera similar a este aviso.
Por favor, comparta esta información con todas las demás personas que beben esta agua, especialmente aquellos que no hayan recibido este aviso directamente (por ejemplo, personas que no están en Facebook o no tienen acceso a Internet). Puede hacerlo publicando este aviso en un lugar público o distribuyendo copias a mano o por correo o compartiendo en las redes sociales.
Si tiene preguntas sobre este asunto, puede comunicarse con la ciudad de Portland al (361) 777-4601 durante el horario comercial regular o (361) 777-4444 después del horario de atención. La ciudad de Portland está emitiendo este Aviso de agua de ebullición como medida de precaución mientras trabajamos para restaurar las condiciones después de un evento meteorológico invernal severo.
Los representantes de los medios de comunicación pueden comunicarse con Shelby O'Brien al (361) 777-4582 o por correo electrónico a shelby.obrien@portlandtx.gov para obtener más información.
City of Portland Issues Boil Water Notice for All Residents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & INFORMATION ON THE WATER BOIL
Why does Portland issue boil water notices?
As a precaution when contamination within the water system is suspected, Denton Water Utilities can request that customers boil their water or use bottled water until water sample lab test results become available.
What is a boil water notice?
A boil water notice is a public statement advising people to boil their tap water before using it, typically in response to an event that has (or could have) introduced contaminants into the water distribution system. Such events include a large water main break, widespread loss of system pressure, or results of routine sample testing in the system. Although waterborne diseases are extremely rare, they can be serious. The risk is higher for infants, the elderly and persons with immune deficiency disorders. Denton Water Utilities issues boil-water notices even if the possibility of contamination is remote to safeguard the health of the community.
What do I need to do to make sure my water is safe to drink and use?
You should boil tap water vigorously for at least two minutes prior to using it for drinking or cooking (the minute starts when the water begins to bubble). This includes water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing raw foods, preparation of drinks and water for pets. Wait for the water to cool before using it or store it in the refrigerator in a clean container. Boiling removes harmful bacteria in the water that may cause illness. You should throw away ice made during the time the advisory or notice was issued, as freezing does not kill bacteria.
Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?
The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry. The water is also safe for bathing during an advisory or notice; unless otherwise indicated by the City.
How do I prepare food and baby formula?
Use boiled or bottled water only for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, and making baby formula.
Breast feed your baby or use ready-made formula. If you must use water to make formula, use bottled water. If you don’t have bottled water, use water that has been rapidly boiled for at least two (2) minutes.
What about my pets?
You should follow the same boiling water procedures for your pet as you would for yourself.
How long will the need to boil water continue?
Public notification will be given when a boil water notice or order is lifted. We expect this this event to last for 24 to 48 hours but can be longer and may last for several days or more. How long depends on the conditions that caused the need to boil, how quickly the conditions are corrected, and how long it takes for laboratory results to confirm it is safe to return to normal water use. Denton Water Utilities will provide updates on the progress of corrective actions and how long the event is expected to last.
What do I need to do when the notice has been lifted?
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice. After an advisory or notice has been lifted (if water contamination did occur), you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure that no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow the following guidelines for flushing:
- Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute
- To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle