Austin urged to boil water as Texas flood shuts down treatment plants – Wettest autumn on record in Dallas

Desdemona Despair

By Mark D. Wilson
22 October 2018

(The Statesman) – Silt and debris from floodwaters have overwhelmed Austin’s ability to produce clean water, prompting an unprecedented citywide alert Monday that urged residents to avoid drinking tap water without boiling it first.

By Monday evening, the situation led to a run on bottled water supplies at grocery stores throughout the region — and appeared to be worsening. City officials warned that water use was outpacing the amount of water being treated, and that residents needed to cut their personal water use by 15 to 20 percent to keep the city from running out of water altogether.

Austin Water is restricting nearly all outdoor water use, including irrigation, washing vehicles, and adding water to pools. The utility wants to make sure an adequate supply is in place for firefighters and essential water use. Violations can be reported to 311.

“Austin water treatment plants can currently produce 105 million gallons of water per day. Current customer use is about 120 million gallons per day,” officials said. “Water reservoir levels are reaching minimal levels.”

Austin Water, the city’s water utility, on Sunday already called on its customers to limit their water use by taking short showers and refraining from doing laundry until absolutely necessary. Officials said water flowing into the city’s water system from supply lakes upriver wasn’t meeting treatment requirements for consumption. […]

Even if you have your own water filtration device in your kitchen, you should still boil your drinking water, Austin Water director Greg Meszaros said.

Officials said inadequately treated water could contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause nausea, diarrhea, cramps or headaches. Those with compromised immune systems and young children are at greater risk. So far, Austin’s water had not tested positive for bacterial infection, officials said.

Austin Water said it would notify residents when the water is safe for consumption and when it is no longer necessary to boil the water. By Monday evening, Austin Water still couldn’t say when that might be. [more]

Austin urged to boil water; flood silt stalls treatment

By Max Golembo
17 October 2018

(ABC News) – A weather pattern stalled over Texas has produced the worst flash flooding since 1935 in Llano County in the central part of the state. The area got as much as 13.24 inches of rain in just the past two days.

The Llano River rose from about 10 feet to nearly 40 feet in less than 24 hours.

Also, Dallas broke the record for the wettest autumn on record — just halfway into the season. The city has received almost 2 feet of rain so far this fall.

More rain is on the way for Texas on Wednesday and Thursday as flood watches and warnings remain in place for a large part of Texas. [more]

More flooding likely in Texas as record rains continue to fall