To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil for 2 minutes then cooled prior to use for drinking water or consumption purposes.
In lieu of boiling, all customers, individuals, or employees may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the Boil Water Advisory in no longer required, the WTCPUA will issue a notice to customers, individuals, or employees that rescinds the Advisory.
If I have a water filtration device, is the water safe to drink or cook with? No. Water will need to be boiled for 2 minutes and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. It is recommended that you change the filter after a Boil Water Advisory has been rescinded.
Can I brush my teeth with tap water? No. Water will need to be boiled for 2 minutes and cooled prior to brushing teeth. Bottled water may be used as a substitute.
Can I drink coffee made with tap water? No. Water will need to be boiled for 2 minutes and cooled prior to use for making coffee. Bottled water may be used as a substitute.
Can my pets drink water during a Boil Water Advisory? No. Water will need to be boiled for 2 minutes and cooled prior to use or water obtained from some other suitable source prior to consumption.
Can I wash dishes by hand? Yes, if dishes are disinfected with chlorine bleach solution after washing. Wash and rinse dishes with hot water like normal. After dishes are rinsed, soak dishes for at least 2 minutes in a bleach solution. To make a bleach solution, add 1 tsp. of liquid, unscented bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) per 1 cup of warm water. Let the dishes air dry completely.
Can I use my dishwasher? You can use your dishwasher if it works well and has a hot temperature setting or sanitizer cycle. If your dishwasher does not have a hot temperature setting, stop the dishwasher at the rinse cycle, add 4 teaspoon. of liquid, unscented bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) and restart the dishwasher. Let the dishes dry completely on the heated dry cycle.
How do I sanitize my countertop, cutting board, or other kitchen surfaces? Wash kitchen surfaces with soap and water, rinse, then wipe them down with a bleach solution. Make a new bleach solution every day so it works well to kill germs. To make a bleach solution, add 1 tsp. of liquid, unscented bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) per 1 cup of warm water. Spray or pour the solution on surfaces that food will touch and let it sit for at least 2 minutes before drying with a clean towel.
Can tap water be used for cleaning non-food contact surfaces? Yes. You can clean surfaces such as floors and walls using tap water with standard cleaning agents.
Can I do laundry during a Boil Water Advisory? Yes, you can do laundry.
Do I need to flush my water system after a Boil Water Advisory has been rescinded? Before a Boil Water Advisory is rescinded, TCEQ requires that representative WTCPUA distribution samples be collected that test negative for bacteria, and that the distribution system be flushed. Accordingly, water will be safe for consumption after a Boil Water Advisory is lifted. Customers are not required to flush their water systems or appliances, but may do so if desired.
Should ice in the freezer that was made during Boil Water Advisory be discarded? Yes, the ice should be discarded.
On May 24, 2000, the LCRA executed an MOU with USFWS agreeing to provide for water quality measures associated with new water service construction. The PUA, as the successor to the LCRA, has adopted Service and Development Policies to ensure compliance with the MOU. All Applicants for Non-Standard Service must comply with PUA Service and Development Policies related to water quality, which are displayed on the PUA web site, under Forms and Reports.
Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code allows utilities to charge Impact Fees to recover costs associated with growth demands in the utility’s system. Impact Fee studies are conducted every 5 years and 10-year capital improvement program (CIP) prepared to facilitate growth. The total cost of the CIP over a 10-year period is divided by the estimated growth in LUEs to determine Impact Fees per LUE. The CIP is reviewed every 5 years and updated as appropriate. Impact Fees are listed in the WTCPUA Rate Tariff (PDF).
Per WTCPUA Rate Tariff (PDF), Reservation Fees are charged for customers who enter into Non-Standard Service Agreements to reserve water or wastewater capacity in the PUA’s system. After issuance of a Service Availability Letter, there is a six-month grace period before the first reservation fees are due. Reservation Fee payments are due annually for any unused LUEs. Reservation fees cease being paid when meters are set and customers pay Impact Fees for each LUE.
Living Unit Equivalent (LUE) conversions for the type of residential or commercial use are shown in Section 3.03 of the WTCPUA Rate Tariff (PDF), “New Connection Fees and Terms and Conditions of Service.”
1 living unit equivalent (LUE) is equal to water demand required to service one residential dwelling, and is comparable to a maximum system demand of 450 gallons per day. LUEs are used to estimate water demand for Non-Standard Service applications, calculation of application fees, engineering fees, legal review fees, reservation fees, impact fees, and other fees in the WTCPUA Rate Tariff (PDF).
Standard service is where a PUA service line from the main to the meter box and meter box has been installed, and only a meter needs to be set to establish service. Non-Standard Service is where infrastructure needs to be installed beyond just setting a meter to establish service.
Please contact Customer Service so a work order can be issued and investigation conducted. The PUA can have samples taken on an as needed basis for laboratory analyses.
The PUA complies with the requirements of the US EPA Safe Water Drinking Act, and TCEQ drinking water regulations. Ongoing compliance is demonstrated through our annual Consumer Confidence Report, which is mailed to all customers in the month of July. For details on SWDA requirements, please visit the US EPA web site.
