SAN ANGELO, Texas — The City of San Angelo provided an update regarding the do-not-drink advisory in the northern industrial part of the City.
According to the City's update, the City, with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approval, has downgraded the do-not-use advisory for the northern industrial area to a do-not-drink advisory (white area on the map).
Click here for the updated map.
Water can no be used for showering bathing and laundry, but not for cooking or drinking. Area residents and businesses are advised to flush the systems before use.
The recommendation was based on post hydrant sample results received the evening of Feb. 24, showing the water drinking sample collected from that part of the City did not contain any chemicals of concern.
The do-not-drink advisory was put in place as a precaution to protect against possible risks from ingesting water until more information is received.
The northern industrial area was physically separated through valves and has remained isolated since Feb. 8, the City said.
The investigation into the source of the contamination is ongoing. The CIty along with experts from TCEQ and the City of McAllen investigated and continue to investigate multiple businesses in the area but do not have the concrete evidence to pinpoint the official source of the contamination.
The City will report information to the public as soon as they have it.
Do's and Dont's
The following information is recommended "Do's" and "Dont's" for residents in the do-not-drink advisory area, the white area on the map.
DO
- Take showers
- Wash dishes
- Wash Laundry
- Wash your hands
DON'T
- Drink water from the faucet (continue to use bottled water)
- Cook with water from the faucet (if you cook, use bottled water)
- Brush your teeth with water from the faucet (when you brush, use bottled water)
- Use ice from an automatic dispenser (purchase from a commercial facility within the current green area of the attached map)
- Prepare coffee with water from the faucet (continue to use using bottled water)
- Fill pet water bowls from the faucet (continue to use bottled water)
Flushing
In addition to “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for the do-not-drink advisory for the northern industrial area, The City recommends initiating flushing at each residence and business. Refer below to recommended steps to begin flushing anticipated areas of stored water within your residence or business.
These steps are recommended for the northern industrial area as contaminants were originally found in this area.
- If you have not flushed one or more of your toilets over the past several days, flush at least 2-3 times to completely flush water through your toilet, tank and piping.
- Turn on all of your faucets and showers at the same time with both cold and hot, and let the faucets and showers run for approximately 30 minutes or until the water turns cold in order to flush your hot water heater.
- If you have a washing machine, run at least one empty cycle using warm water with detergent to flush both hot and cold water lines.
- If you have a dishwasher, run at least one empty cycle using warm water.
- Open the faucets on outdoor hose bib connections for 2-3 minutes to flush exterior piping (outdoor hose bib flushing can also wait until the weather warms back up).
Once the northern industrial area can be release to normal water, pending test results, the City will release that information.
