As The “Times” print edition went to press Monday evening, much of Freestone County is under a boil water notice, if you are under a boil water notice it is not safe for you to drink tap water unless you follow certain steps.
What does this mean for you and your family?
While the bacteria likely isn’t life-threatening, it can make you really sick if you consume it – especially young kids, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised.
Bottled water or boiled water is your best bet for the next few days.
Bringing the water to a full rolling boil for two minutes will kill the disease-causing microorganisms. Make sure to let the water cool before consuming.
Use this water and only this water to drink, brush your teeth, wash your hands, cook, make ice, do dishes and give to your plants and pets.
Be sure to reach out to your individual water provider for information on your status as information will vary.
Some of the most popular questions are:
Q: Can you drink tap water that’s been filtered but not boiled?
A: No. Don’t drink filtered water that comes out of your fridge without boiling it first. Filtering water only removes organic compounds, not biological contaminants.
Some water filters, like LifeStraw or Berkey products, however, do claim to be effective against bacteria. When in doubt, boil.
Q: Is it safe to take a shower?
A: Yes. You can shower in the water that comes out of your showerhead, just make sure you don’t swallow any of it. Also, be mindful of cuts and open wounds.
Q: What if you don’t have power and can’t boil water?
A: Household items like regular, unscented chlorine bleach that is suitable for disinfection and sanitization can disinfect water if you use it carefully. It might taste and smell funny, but it is safe to drink with the right measurements.
pictured above: Thankful for the port-a-potties and wash stations being placed around town by the City of Wortham during this water outage. (Photo by Jennifer Lansford)
