HOUSTON – The City of Houston has officially lifted the boil water notice that has been in place since Sunday.
Representatives from the city announced early Tuesday morning that water samples have been tested and approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for safe consumption once again.
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Below are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on what to do now that the notice has been lifted:
- Run all cold water faucets in your home for at least five minutes.
- If you get your water from a dispenser in your refrigerator, run the water for at least five minutes until it is clear. Do the same thing with your showers and sinks.
- Flush automatic ice makers. Ice cubes should be emptied and run through a 24-hour cycle. Make three batches of ice and discard them. The water line should be clear and ice should be safe to consume with the fourth batch
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
- Run an empty dishwasher for a full cycle.
- Get rid of water in humidifiers, CPAP machines and any other electric devices that collect water. Thoroughly clean all the machines before using them.
- Flush all toilets.
- Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 113°F.
- Change all point-of-entry and point-of-use water filters, including those associated with equipment that uses water.
According to health officials with Memorial Hermann Hospital, taking these steps as soon as possible will ensure that the water in your home is safe for you and your family.
For more information, visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website. If customers have questions concerning this matter, they are urged to contact 311 or (713) 837-0311. Water quality reports are also available to view online.
Answers to frequently asked questions, including guidance for food service establishments, can also be found at https://houstonemergency.org.
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