PHOTO #1: Public Works crews work to excavate the hole and replace the damaged 20” pipe and tee Jan. 15 following a water main break at Airline and Ben Jordan.
PHOTO #2: This map shows the boundary between the north and south pressure planes in Victoria.
Victoria residents quickly regained water pressure following a Jan. 14 water main break, though a boil water notice remains in effect until further notice.
A boil-water notice was promptly issued out of an abundance of caution in accordance with TCEQ guidelines. While TCEQ allows notification to be given up to 24 hours after a loss of pressure due to the time it takes for bacteria to potentially grow, City Public Works helped issue information at midnight following the leak and throughout the subsequent day. A Jan. 15 press conference also was held to answer any questions local media and the public had.
As a reminder, water customers should follow below precautionary boil-water instructions.
- Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, so to ensure the 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.
- Water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
- Showering and bathing is safe so long as water does not enter the eyes, nose or mouth, and dishwashing can be done in a dishwasher on sanitation mode or set to 150 degrees.
- This information should be shared with all other community members who may drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).
- If water accidently is consumed, residents should drink plenty of clean water and inform a physician if feeling sick.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, city officials will notify customers that the water is safe for consumption. Water samples were submitted to the lab around noon today, and following an incubation period of 24 hours, the county will help perform a test to determine whether any contamination occurred. The boil-water notice will be rescinded if results are negative.
Public Works will continue to work in the coming days to address potential minor leaks at the intersection of Ben Jordan and Airline. However, the initial water break has been resolved with water pressure restored to all towers, and the city does not anticipate any further interruptions to water pressure.
The intersection of Airline and Ben Jordan will remain closed for repairs for approximately one week. Drivers should seek alternate routes during the closure. All businesses and homes in the work zone will remain accessible.
For further updates, visit the City’s newsroom at www.victoriatx.gov/news.