HARLINGEN — In Harlingen and San Benito, city leaders are trying to dispel rumors warning their water plants were cutting off water service amid widespread power outages.
Meanwhile, the state has ordered some cities and water districts to request customers boil water to make it safe to drink.
In Harlingen, officials are assuring customers the WaterWorks System isn’t cutting off water service.
“The Harlingen WaterWorks System is not shutting off water to its customers,” Irma Garza, the city’s spokeswoman, stated Wednesday.
“The freeze has broken pipes and caused many leaks at our customers’ homes and businesses throughout the city and neighboring communities,” she stated. “Our water plants are keeping up with the extraordinary demand from these leaks and we are bringing additional capacity online to increase water pressure.”
San Benito’s water running
In San Benito, water breaks apparently sparked rumors warning the city’s water plants were cutting off water service.
“The city would like to dispel all rumors that the city is shutting off the water supply,” city officials posted on Facebook. “This is not true. Also, the city is not under a boil water notice.”
Customers’ broken water lines might have sparked the rumors.
“If anyone’s water service has been shut off, it’s been due to broken pipes, water mains or irrigation lines,” the post states.
State orders La Feria water boil
However, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has ordered the city of La Feria to warn customers to boil water.
“Due to freezing conditions and the Texas Electric Grid experiencing power outages causing the water delivery system to go below 20 PSI, the city of La Feria, per Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements, is advising all its residents to boil their water prior to consumption as a precautionary measure,” city officials posted on Facebook.
“To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption,” the post states.
Meanwhile, officials are urging customers to conserve water.
“The city is also recommending the reduction of consumption and to conserve as much water as possible,” the post states.
Laguna Madre Water District calls on customers to boil water
In Port Isabel and South Padre Island, the state is ordering the Laguna Madre Water District to warn customers to boil water.
“Due to reduced distribution system pressure caused by rolling power outages and water line breaks from freezing temperatures in the Laguna Madre area, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Laguna Madre Water District public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g. washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.),” officials stated.
“Children, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria and all customers should follow these directions.”
East Rio Hondo warns customers to boil water
In Rio Hondo, the state is also ordering the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation to warn customers to boil water, adding “continued service interruptions may occur.”
“Pressures have fallen below regulatory standards due to rolling blackouts affecting multiple … system capacity components and excessively high demand from private plumbing drips and leaks,” officials state in a press release. “Water should be boiled before using for drinking, eating, brushing teeth or wound care.”
Officials, who are requesting customers conserve water, are “working to repressurize the system, which will take some time,” the press release states.
