BOIL WATER NOTICE FOR CITY OF HOUSTON
 
* Correction made only to the section below titled TCEQ requires this mandatory notification and the information below 
 
A boil water notice has been issued for the City of Houston’s Main Water System (TX1010013). The water pressure dropped below the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s required minimum of 20 PSI during the arctic winter weather event starting on February 16, 2021 at Noon.
 
Individuals without power to boil water are advised to use bottled water. 
Houston Public Works has received reports of low water pressure and we ask the community to conserve water in the area. 
The public is advised to minimize water usage for health and safety and discontinue use of sprinklers, washing machines and other non essential activities that require water usage.  
 
DETAILS ABOUT RESTORATION ESTIMATES: The City expects pressures to improve over the day today and to have stabilized pressures back into the operational range before the end of the day on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
 
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact 311 or email waterquality@houstontx.gov.
 
For a link to a Google Map of the impacted area: http://bit.ly/boilwaternotice2021
 
TCEQ requires this mandatory notification and the information below:
 
Due to reduced distribution system pressure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Houston Main Water System (TX1010013) to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
 
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
 
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
 
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
 
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
 
 

Weather Update
 
Here is a recap of the news conference on the weather:
 
  • The Houston Emergency Center continues to operate at a Level One full activation.
  • More than 1.3 million residents remain without power in the Houston area.
  • Houstonians are asked to continue to conserve energy throughout this weather event and beyond.
  • The City of Houston does not regulate the generation of energy. ERCOT regulates.
 
WARMING CENTERS
  • Gallery Furniture (6006 North Freeway) and Lakewood Church (3700 Southwest Freeway) have opened as a warming center and are accepting people if they need a warm place and can get there safely. 
  • National Association Church located at 16605 Air Center Blvd. The warming center has a capacity to hold up to 500 people and is accepting pets. Phone 832-626-7111
 
WARMING YOURSELF AT HOME
  • The City is urging people to please not use their cars for heat inside a garage and reminding them that when heating their home with a space heater, always have CO alarms installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
  • Do not use generators inside your home or garage.
  • Please bundle up and be safe.
 
Please conserve energy.
 
Call 3-1-1 or visit: houstontx.gov/311.
 
 

Houston Public Works: Updates on City Water and Tips
 
LOW PRESSURE 
Freeze and power outages have hindered the City’s ability to produce treated drinking water. Pressures are low throughout the entire drinking water distribution system. Due to the low water pressure, the City is obligated to issue a boil water notice. The City is working to the best of its ability to restore water pressure as soon as conditions allow.
 
Households and businesses with water are urged to conserve water.
 
NO WATER 
If there is no water, this could indicate that the home’s private water line is frozen. After temperatures are above freezing, the best way to thaw frozen water pipes is to: 
  • Open cabinet doors to circulate warm air 
  • Use hair dryers, heat lamps or portable space heaters 
  • DO NOT USE open flames or propane torches (fire hazard)  
 
 
 
DRIPPING FAUCETS 
Please do NOT drip faucets, this will cause lower water pressure to our City. Houston’s water system is different than other systems in that we don’t use water towers to provide pressure to the system. We use ground storage tanks & pumps. Some of this equipment has been damaged due to the severe weather.
 
HOW TO TURN OFF WATER MAIN CONNECTIONS 
Homeowners may choose to turn off their main water connections following a freeze, burst water pipe or a water leak. 
  1. IDENTIFY SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION 
Slab foundations have two valves, one located at the house. This can be found along an exterior wall or in your garage. The other valve can be found at the water meter by the street. 
Older pier & beam foundations shutoff valves are in the ground water meter box. 
  1. SHUT OFF THE WATER 
You may need an adjustable wrench or pliers to assist in turning off the valves. Homes will have either a gate or ball valve:  
  • Ball valve turn lever 90 degrees (lever is perpendicular to the pipes when valve is closed. It will be parallel when valve is open)
  • Gate valve (common in older homes): gently turn round handle clockwise (right) until it is completely closed. (you will turn handle counterclockwise to turn water back on) 
 
HOW DO I SHUT OFF WATER AT METER BOX? 
Please do NOT shut off water yourself. Please call 311 (713-837-0311) to have Houston Water walk you through steps you can take to turn off the water at your house.  
 
TRANSPORTATION & DRAINAGE UPDATES 
Roadways, especially bridges & overpasses remain hazardous. Please do not travel unless it is an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra blanket, flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case you become stranded.
 
HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS COLD WEATHER TIPS 
To prevent water leaks due to frozen water pipes: 
 
Before Freezing Weather 
  • Wrap exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home 
  • Remove garden hoses connected to outside faucets 
  • Turn off sprinkler systems 
 
In Freezing Weather 
  • Open cabinet doors under sinks next to outside walls 
  • Do NOT drip faucets, this lowers the water pressure in Houston’s water system 
  • In unheated garages, shut off water to washing machines 
  • Protect pipes that have frozen in the past 
 
Not Going to Be Home? 
  • Drain outside water faucets or leave home heating system on low 
 
ESPLANADE PARTNERS 
Please turn off sprinkler systems before cold weather to prevent potential broken pipes and slick local streets. 
 
RENTAL PROPERTY TIPS 
Landlords must maintain rental properties to the standards set by the Houston Housing Code of Ordinances (Sec. 10-363). Heating equipment must maintain a minimum inside temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (measured three feet above the floor) when it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. To report suspected violations, call 311. 
 
To report water leaks, trees down, lights flashing or other concerns, please call 311,
713-837-0311. 
 
 

NOTICE: Houston Health Department COVID Testing and Vaccination Sites Update
 
All Houston Health Department-affiliated COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will remain closed Wednesday, February 17, due to inclement weather. The sites were also closed Monday and Tuesday.
 
Approximately 1,000 people with vaccination appointments scheduled for Wednesday will be contacted by the department to reschedule. The department’s partner agencies will contact people with testing appointments to reschedule.
 
People who have appointments scheduled for Wednesday but do not receive notification due to power outage, connectivity issues or other reasons should not show up to a site. They should contact the department’s COVID-19 call center at 832-393-4220 later this week when services resume and leave a message.
 
 

REMINDER: Winter Safety Tips
 
Protective Actions
Check on your neighbors, family, and seniors. Those experiencing homelessness or have a medical condition and depend on power may call 3-1-1 for assistance. 
 
When cold weather occurs, Houstonians should remember to protect the Four ‘P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.
 
People
  • Dress in warm, layered clothing, including gloves, a coat, and a hat when you are outside.  
  • Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they can act as refrigerators and expose anyone inside to sub-freezing temperatures.
  • Never use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to heat your home (or any enclosed area). These devices can generate carbon monoxide, which cannot be seen or smelled, but is deadly. 
 
Pets
  • Protect your pets by ensuring that they have a warm, safe place to sleep. The best place for a pet to sleep is in a heated environment.
  • Do not shave your dog down to the skin in winter. A longer coat provides more warmth.
  • Never leave your animal in a car during cold weather. Cars can act as refrigerators in the winter, holding in the cold and causing animals to freeze to death.
  • For more cold-weather tips for pets, visit the ASPA’s ‘Cold Weather Safety Tips’ webpage: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
 
Pipes
  • During cold weather, pipes may freeze and rupture, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home’s heater to warm the pipes under the sink. 
  • Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.
Plants
  • Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
  • Bring in potted plants or group them together, near the edge of a building. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leaves survive.
 
 

NOTICE: METRO Services Remain Suspended Except METROLift
 
METRO services will remain suspended through Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 due to impacts from winter storms. However, METROLift clients who need to take medically necessary trips should contact the METROLift Reservations Center to schedule rides. 
 
METRO HOV/HOT lanes and the METRO RideStore will also remain closed. The METRO Customer Service call center is open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily and can be reached at 713-635-4000.
 
Riders are asked to monitor METRO’s Twitter and Facebook pages for timely information regarding transit service. METRO also offers real-time information through its service alerts system.
 
Please note the following:
• METRO advises riders to monitor local media and the National Weather Service for weather updates.
• Current roadway conditions are available on TranStar’s Real-Time Traffic Map.
• These entities are sharing resources with METRO to serve the area: Harris County, the city of Houston and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
 
Their websites provide information about safety, weather, traffic and more during emergencies.
 
 

Schools Information