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Laredo’s struggles with its water safety have continued with the news on Sunday afternoon that the entire city is under a boil water notice.

The city announced that the measure was taken as a precautionary measure, as is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

“High temperatures, along with low rain fall, affect chlorine residuals by aging the water and making it become stagnant in lines that are part of the water system,” said the city in a release.

Due to the city-wide occurrence, utility crews are working around the area and have placed automatic flushing devices.


The city says that the next 72 hours will see chlorine levels continue to be monitored while areas will be removed from the notice when they show they can maintain their correct levels.


“Currently water tanks are showing positive levels of total chlorine that will enter the city’s public water system quickly with the constant flushing of the lines that is taking place across the city,” said the city. “This will allow for improved chlorine levels. As flushing continues, residents may experience temporary low water pressure.

“The City of Laredo has recently updated its post-chlorination equipment at booster stations and has also updated its design requirements for new developments to improve water quality, especially in newer and rapidly growing parts of Laredo.”

News of current issues with the city’s water first arrived on Friday afternoon. The city stated that low chlorine areas in specific areas of the city required the Utilities Department to flush lines to increase levels.

The city further stressed that residents were “urged not to panic as the city’s water is safe for normal consumption and use,” and that a boil water notice would be issued Saturday if the levels were not maintained.

The following day, that’s exactly what happened — at least, in just one area. Officials announced that a boil water notice was issued for part of the Chacon neighborhood due to a failure to maintain acceptable disinfection residuals in areas of the distribution system.

The area spanned only between South Meadow Avenue and South Buena Vista Avenue and between Gates Street and Willow Street. However, Sunday brought news that the problem is now much worse.

Just before noon, the city announced that new neighborhoods in mostly south Laredo were under a boil water notice as crews continued to flush the lines. And just before 5:30 p.m., that notice had expanded to cover the entirety of the city.

“Residents are advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, ice making and any other consumption purpose should be boiled and cooled prior to use,” said the city in a release. “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 city will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.”

zdavis@lmtonline.com

Be safe and make sure to boil your water or consider buying a water filtration system like the AquaOx Water Filter.

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