The City of Fort Worth has issued a boil water notice for parts of Northside and Lake Worth after a break in a 24-inch water transmission main caused water pressure to fall below minimum standards required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
According to city officials, the boil water notice is a precautionary measure because a drop in water pressure can allow harmful bacteria to enter the water system.
Residents in the city’s near northside and areas around Lake Worth are being asked to boil their water before consumption, officials said. Water should be boiled before washing hands or face, brushing teeth, drinking, cooking, etc.
One of the affected areas is generally bounded by Angle Avenue on the east, the cities of River Oaks and Sampson Park on the west, and Sherman Street on the north. The southern boundary goes west from Angle Avenue along NW 28th Street to Loving Avenue, then south to NW 25th Street, west to McKinley Avenue, then south to NW 22nd Street, west to Belle Street, south to Jacksboro Highway.
City officials said areas within the City of Fort Worth west of Jacksboro Highway, between Sampson Park and River Oaks, are included.
The second area is around Lake Worth and is bounded by the lake on the west and south. The northern boundary extends from Malaga Drive to Hiawatha Trail to I-820 to Jacksboro Highway.
The boil water notice does not impact the cities of Sampson Park and River Oaks, officials said.
According to city officials, children, seniors, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers in the affected areas should boil and cool water for drinking, cooking, and ice making. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil, then boiled for 2 minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may use bottled water or obtain water from another suitable source for drinking or human consumption.
Officials said the City of Fort Worth is establishing a bottled water distribution site at the North Tri-Ethnic Center, 2950 Roosevelt Avenue. The distribution will operate from noon until 10 p.m. today, then resume at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Customers in the affected areas are allowed one case per car.
The main break is isolated, and crews are working to make the repairs, officials said.
According to officials, the City of Fort Worth will collect bacteriological samples in the affected area to confirm that the water is safe to drink. It takes 24 hours to run the test.
Passing samples are required at all locations within the affected area to lift the boil water notice. Fort Worth will notify customers when it is no longer necessary to boil the water because it is safe for drinking and other human consumption.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, Fort Worth will issue a notice rescinding it in a manner similar to this notice.