Boil-water notice in Longview expected to last ‘several days’

LONGVIEW, Texas - City of Longview crews continue to work to restore water pressure throughout the city following a 30-inch water main break.

According to the latest update via the City of Longview’s social media posts, water distribution sites were available for residents as of 4 p.m. at the Longview Convention Complex and Longview Mall while supplies were available. One water distribution site will be open on Thursday at the Longview Convention Complex. The site will open at 9 a.m. and remain open as supplies are available. Traffic should enter the site from Cotton Street onto Grand Boulevard.

Water system function is expected to improve during the evening hours and into Thursday. However, a boil water notice remains in effect for much of Longview. The City of Longview will conduct two separate water quality tests once water system function has been restored before lifting the boil water notice.  It is anticipated that the boil water notice will remain in place through at least Saturday, April 9.

During this time, the public is encouraged to conserve water. Please avoid:

• Using water for irrigation or testing of irrigation equipment

• Washing vehicles, including at a commercial car wash

• Adding water to a pool or spa

• Other unnecessary water uses

City of Longview offices were planned to reopen Thursday, April 7, on regular schedule.

Food service operators are encouraged to contact Environmental Health at 903-452-3918 with questions regarding reopening.

The City of Longview experienced water main break in the 5200 block of Loop 281 on Wednesday morning.

By 11:30 a.m., city crews were able to isolate the 30-inch water main break. However, due to the time required to locate and isolate the leak, the distribution system experienced low water pressure.

Due to the low water pressure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of Longview public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). The boiled water notice is for ALL customers, including wholesale customers, on the City of Longview water system and should follow these directions:

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

By 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, the city released a map of where boiling water is no longer necessary. The area involves the north side of town, which includes Spring Hill ISD.

Richard Yeakley, the spokesman for the city, said a boil-water notice is expected to last the “next several days.”

Super One will be bringing water to Maude Cobb Convention Center to distribute for free to the public. Distribution starts at 11:30 a.m. Water will also be distributed at Longview Mall.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. 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 public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Public Works Department at (903) 237-1240.

SCHOOL UPDATES:

Longview ISD has decided to close its campuses Wednesday and Thursday due to the water supply issues in the city. Longview initially planned to only close Wednesday, but now the district plans to ready the campuses on Thursday for students’s return on Friday.

Pine Tree ISD and Spring Hill ISD have both canceled classes due to the water main break.

The Kilgore College Longview campus will also be closed Wednesday, in addition to the Gregg County Courthouse.

Numerous businesses, medical facilities, pre-schools and daycare facilities are also closing due to the water supply issues. Click here for an updated listing.

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