Boil Water Notice Rescinded in Tyler After E. Coli Found in Water Sample
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The city of Tyler announced on Saturday morning that the boil water notice, which had been in effect since Friday, has been rescinded. The precautionary measure was put in place after E. coli was detected during routine testing of a water sample.
Tyler Water Utilities customers were urged to boil their water before using it for drinking or cooking purposes. However, the city received new test results on Saturday morning, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved the findings, indicating that the water no longer poses a risk and does not require boiling prior to use.
Despite the lifting of the notice, customers are advised to take a few precautionary steps to ensure the safety of their water. Flushing faucets for approximately 15 minutes, discarding ice from refrigerators, and changing filter cartridges are recommended measures to eliminate any residual contaminants.
The imposition of the boil order had significant effects on the community. Many businesses, including restaurants and grocery stores, faced closures and experienced shortages of bottled water. Chick-fil-A, one of the affected establishments, even displayed a sign notifying customers of their temporary closure due to the boil order.
In addition, Friday night high school football games were impacted, with schools resorting to using bottled water to fill containers for players during the Tyler High home game against Mesquite Horn.
The presence of E. coli in the water sample prompted the issuance of the boil water notice. Tyler’s director of utilities, Kate Dietz, stated, “We ran the follow-up samples — repeats as they’re called — and at that same sample site, total coliform was detected, and so at that point, we then were required to issue the boil water notice.”
E. coli is a type of bacteria that can be particularly harmful to vulnerable populations, such as infants, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of E. coli contamination include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, and other related issues. However, as of now, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the water concerns.
Tyler Water Utilities took immediate action by flushing the water system and conducting further sampling to ensure the presence of adequate disinfectant levels.
Customers, in the meantime, took precautions by purchasing bottled water. The Northeast Texas Public Health District laboratory tested field samples after an 18-hour incubation period, which came back negative. These results paved the way for the rescission of the boil water notice on Saturday.
For any inquiries regarding the process or concerns about water safety, customers can reach out to the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant at (903) 597-6541.
The city of Tyler expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding and cooperation during this situation, and they are committed to maintaining the highest standards of water quality for the community.
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