UPDATED
Residents living in the Seven Meadows and Hickory Creek areas of Katy have been warned to boil their drinking water after demands on the area’s water system caused pressure to drop to dangerously low levels.
Because of the law water pressure, the quality of the water may be compromised, according to a statement issued Saturday by Southwest Water Company, who operates the water system for Fort Bend Municipal Utility District 34.
High Saturday demand on the MUD’s two water wells has exceeded the system’s capacity. Hot temperatures are thought to have contributed to the heavy water usage.
First Southwest Water also said assistance was requested from a neighboring water district, but that district was also having difficulty meeting demands on its system and was unable to help MUD 34.
Utility officials are recommending all tap water be brought to a rolling boil before being used. This includes water used for drinking, washing foods, making ice or being consumed in any way.
Residents are also being told to reduce their outdoor water use, including watering lawns, until the situation can be resolved.
The boil order will remain in effect until further notice.
No count on the number of households affected by the boil notice was immediately available.
Fort Bend MUD 34 serves the area north and west of The Grand Parkway and FM 1093, including the upscale master-planned communities of Seven Meadows and Hickory Creek.
The entire notice reads as follows:
“Due to conditions which have occurred recently in our water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system to notify all customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. Around 6:30 Saturday morning, the demand for water was so great that the two wells serving the District could not meet that demand. A neighboring District was contacted to possibly assist by supplying water through an inter-connect between the two Districts.
“They stated that their system too was barely meeting the demand of their customers so they unfortunately were unable to assist at this time. Because the water pressure dropped below 20 psi this morning, we are issuing this boil water notice as a precaution until the pressure is restored and we obtain laboratory results showing there was no bacterial intrusion into the system.
“To insure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes that might be present, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
“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.
“With the current weather pattern of high temperatures and little to no rain, everyone needs to try and reduce their outdoor water use. Some simple ideas are to refrain from washing non-commercial vehicles and set sprinkler timers to water in the earlier morning hours to be finished by 6:00 a.m. when indoor uses increase.
“If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact the Operations Company for your District at: 713-405-1750 or 877-405-1750.”
June 21st, 2009 at 12:50 am
Given how hot it is they might be able to get away with filling a metal pot with water and leaving it in the driveway for an hour or two? Might not come to a rolling boil but it will be close. At least it feels that way over here. Let’s all keep a sharp eye peeled for RAIN. I think I may have fogotten what it looks like.