About 1,500 households northwest of San Antonio are still under a boil water notice as of Friday, though the water systems in those areas have been restored and samples are being tested.
Texas Water Utilities notified more than 2,000 customers in several subdivisions that they would need to boil tap water before drinking, cooking with it or otherwise consuming it, beginning on Saturday.
“The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes,” news releases stated. “Children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to harmful bacteria and are urged to comply with the notice.”
The issues were caused by a loss of pressure in the water system due to leaks as the first hard freeze of the season engulfed the region.
Communities whose boil water notices remain
Residents affected by the notice can also purchase bottled water or use another suitable source of drinking water, according to the company.
The water systems serving Lake Medina Shores/Holiday Villages of Medina, Oaks North Mobile Home Estates and Verde Park Estates have “returned to normal operations,” according to a statement from Texas Water Utilities on Friday.
“Samples for these systems were collected and sent to the lab Thursday,” the statement from Tim Williford, vice president of operations for Texas Water Utilities reads.
The loss of pressure in the systems was the result of a leak in one main line and a service line as well as many customer line leaks due to the recent freeze, officials said previously.
“We will continue to provide updates to our customers and the community as we have them and will advise when boil water notices have been rescinded. Providing safe and reliable water is of the utmost importance to us, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for this inconvenience,” Williford said in a statement.
One resident of Lake Medina Shores emailed KSAT over the weekend concerned about when the water would be turned back on.
“Southwest Water Company needs to answer to its customers! Why have we been waiting so long! This is absolutely unacceptable! And it’s not just now….we are constantly losing pressure or don’t have water on a regular basis!” the resident wrote. “We deserve this basic human right called water!”
Communities whose boil water notices have been rescinded
The utility has rescinded a handful of the notices after lab results indicated the water in the systems is free of bacteria.
Customers with questions regarding this notice may contact the company at 1-866-654-7992 or check the Boil Water Notice section of swwc.com. Media with inquiries about this notice may contact the company at Communications_TX@swwc.com.