Boil Water Notices

NBU has issued a Boil Water Notice due to not meeting the minimum TCEQ pressure requirements in the River Chase pressure zone. New Braunfels Utilities lost minimum pressure as a result of the pumping and production facility losing power due to Pedernales Electric Cooperative distribution line serving the pump station being down.  Power has since been restored, and the pump station is moving water to River Chase.  Once adequate pressure has been restored, NBU staff will begin the sampling process to determine if the boil water notice can be lifted.

Boil water notice will be in effect until New Braunfels Utilities can ensure all drinking water requirements regarding water quality and minimum pressure are achieved. This may last several days depending on the weather, restoration of production and pumping facilities, number of main breaks or leaks, and other factors.

• Fill a pot with water.
• Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
• Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for two minutes.
• Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
• Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.

Used properly; gas grills or fireplaces may be used as interim solutions for boiling water when electricity is not available.

The water in the distribution system before the power outage was treated water and we are not aware of any breaks or leaks; however, with the loss of pressure, the water is subject to the conditions below:

• Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

While water filters can remove contaminants,  we would still recommend boiling water prior to consumption.

Ice should be dumped until the boil water notice is lifted.

• Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or with bottled water.
• Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes before adding food to cook.
• Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade.
• Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.

• Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
• Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water.
• Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
• If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
• Throw out all ice made with tap water.
• Make new ice with boiled or bottled water.

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.

• Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.

• Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
• In a separate basin, add one teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
• Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
• Let the dishes air dry completely.

• It is safe to do laundry as usual however; please conserve water as much as practical.

• Pets can get some of the same diseases as people. It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled too.

• Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove bacteria or viruses.