The City of Odessa has issued a "Boil Water Notice," urging residents to boil their water for the next 24 hours before drinking, cleaning, or cooking. This notice is put into effect when the water pressure drops below 20 psi, as per the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirement.
Currently, the city is in a critical stage. Crews are working tirelessly to relieve the pressure in the system and prevent a shutdown. However, there is no confirmed timeframe for when the issue will be resolved.
In response to common queries from residents:
- For oral hygiene such as brushing teeth, use bottled or boiled water.
- To ensure safe consumption, water should be boiled vigorously for at least one full minute.
- If tap water was consumed before the notice was issued, there's no need for panic. The chances of illness are slim but consult a doctor if symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps occur.
- Boiling water makes it safe to drink by destroying disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites with heat.
- Showers can be taken with caution to avoid ingesting the water.
- Ice already in freezers before the pressure drop and notice issuance is safe. However, ice makers should be turned off during this period and any ice made should be discarded. After three batches of ice have been made and discarded post-notice, it can be considered safe.
- Tap water should not be used for making beverages like coffee, tea, lemonade or baby formula. Use boiled or bottled water instead.
- Fruits, vegetables and other foods should only be washed with bottled or boiled water.
- Dishes can be hand-washed with hot soapy water followed by a rinse with boiled water. If using a dishwasher, ensure that it reaches at least 170 degrees or has a sanitizing cycle including a full dry cycle.
- Hand washing can continue with tap water and soap for basic hygiene. However, if washing hands to prepare food, use bottled or boiled water.