City of Victoria crews will continue working through the night to increase the chlorine in the City’s water system after low chlorine levels prompted the City to issue a boil-water notice.
The City issued a boil-water notice at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) tested the City’s water and measured a residual chlorine level of 0.3 ppm, below the 0.5 ppm required by the TCEQ, in the area of John Stockbauer Drive and Miori Lane.
Since that time, crews have been working around the clock to raise the chlorine levels in the system by adding more chlorine and strategically flushing water towers and fire hydrants to remove old water. Last night, crews flushed two of the City’s five water towers. (The towers cannot all be flushed at the same time due to the need to continue providing water.)
The TCEQ requires the City to test chlorine levels at 16 different sites to confirm a chlorine level of 0.5 ppm throughout the system. Once the chlorine levels are corrected, the City will be required to test its water to ensure that the system is free of contaminants.
Public Works will continue to add chlorine and flush older water through the night and tomorrow, including the remaining water towers, with the goal of correcting the chlorine levels and sending a sample to be tested for contaminants tomorrow. The testing process will take 24 hours due to the time needed for water samples to incubate.
The TCEQ will then review the test results to confirm whether the City can lift the boil-water notice.
About the boil-water notice
The boil-water notice was issued due to reduced chlorine levels in the City’s water system. This was caused by a recent pattern of decreased consumption and summer temperature increases, which created a need for additional chlorine that was not being met by our dosage.
This problem is not related to the recent flooding of the Guadalupe River.
The boil-water notice only affects the City’s water system. Residents of Victoria County and residents on well water are not affected.
What should residents do?
Water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes before consumption.
Residents should brush teeth using boiled water or bottled water.
Showering and bathing is safe so long as water does not enter the eyes, nose or mouth.
Dishes can be washed in a dishwasher on sanitation mode or set to 150 degrees.
If water is accidentally consumed, residents should drink plenty of clean water and inform a physician if feeling sick.
How does the City manage chlorine levels?
The City of Victoria Public Works tests chlorine levels regularly in line with TCEQ regulations. Plants and water towers are tested daily, and the City also conducts 70-80 additional tests per month at individual sites throughout the system.
Public Works is exploring options to avoid future problems with chlorine levels, including conducting “chlorine burns” (treating water solely with chlorine rather than chloramines) earlier in the year to get ahead of summer heat.
Stay informed
Updates about the boil-water notice will be shared on the City’s website; on social media; and through the City’s Alert Center, which sends updates to residents via call, email or text.
City of Victoria utility customers will receive Alert Center updates automatically. Non-customers can register for the service at www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter. For assistance, contact Communications & Public Affairs at communications@victoriatx.gov or 361-485-3110.