Italy residents got an unwelcome Sunday update from City Hall: boil your tap water before you use it. A water main break caused a loss of pressure in parts of town, and officials warned that any water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or washing should be boiled until they declare the system safe again.
What the city says
According to WFAA, the City of Italy issued the advisory after the main break and told residents to bring tap water to a vigorous boil for at least two minutes, then let it cool before using it. Officials said bottled water is fine to use in the meantime, and that the notice will stay in place until tests clear the system. The city said it will notify customers once the boil-water order is lifted.
Nearby systems have seen problems this week
Italy is not alone. Nearby utilities have been fighting similar problems this week, with the South Ellis County Water Supply Corporation posting a boil-water notice on Thursday for customers along FM 308 North and surrounding roads after low distribution pressure. The warning underscored how easily the county’s supplies can be disrupted. As posted by the South Ellis County Water Supply Corporation, customers were told to boil their water after a short outage while crews completed repairs.
Why officials issue alerts
State rules require public water systems to alert customers any time pressure loss, outages or similar issues could affect whether water is safe to drink, and the alerts must stay in place until checks and lab tests confirm the system is back to normal. As laid out in the Texas Administrative Code, systems have to restore pressure and disinfectant levels and submit test results to the state before a boil-water notice can be rescinded.
How long to boil and other precautions
The city’s instructions are straightforward: bring tap water to a strong rolling boil for at least two minutes, then let it cool before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice or brushing teeth, and use bottled water if you prefer. According to WFAA, people with weakened immune systems, infants and older adults are urged to be especially careful until the advisory is lifted.
Broader context
Small, rural systems across North Texas have been hit with boil notices again and again as aging pipes and thin budgets leave water networks prone to breaks, a pattern that has fueled calls for more money to shore up basic infrastructure. The Dallas Morning News recently outlined how old mains and tight funding have contributed to a steady drumbeat of advisories around the region.
