Austin, Texas Water Boil Notice

On October 21st Austin, Texas was issued a boil water notice. Austin has received lots of rain over the past weeks and it has caused large amounts of flooding. Schools were let out early due to flash flood warnings, roads and bridges were blocked off due to flooding, and the Austin Dam area was blocked off. With all the heavy rain fall our lakes and rivers have been contaminated. The city has found harmful micro organisms in the water that could cause symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. Due to the water boil notice, grocery stores this past week have been booming with business due to customers stocking up on water bottles. I am from Austin, Texas, but I currently am not there, however, my family has to deal with the water boil notice. I have two younger brothers that are four and five and city officials have warned that children are at the most risk if they do drink the contaminated water.

To make sure the water is safe to drink, the city is encouraging all Austin citizens to boil their water for at least three minutes before drinking it. They also encourage citizens to boil the water before cooking with it, using it as ice, before they brush their teeth, use the water for cooking, and using it for pets. City officials also say to not use water for irrigation, washing vehicles, or for washing pavements. The two thing's the water does not effect is laundry and bathing. This boil notice has affected many facilities such as schools, animal shelters, and restaurants. At the beginning of the week Austin officials said that the boil notice would last up to two weeks, however, this boil notice is predicted to only last a couple more days. 

link to article: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-boil-water-notice-could-end-sunday-but-restrictions-could-remain-days-after/269-606634838