Routine testing turned up E. coli in a New Braunfels groundwater well over the weekend, prompting New Braunfels Utilities to shut down several wells as a precaution. The bacteria were found in a raw well sample, not in treated drinking water, and the utility says the problem was caught before any contaminated water reached the city’s distribution system. Customers are being told they do not need to boil their water. The affected wells were taken offline for disinfection and required testing, and NBU says it aims to have them back in service by Tuesday.
In a Tier 1 public notice from New Braunfels Utilities, listed as PWS TX0460001, the utility reports that a raw-water sample tested positive for E. coli and that “the affected well has been taken offline, will be fully disinfected, and will undergo required testing before being returned to service.” As reported by Spectrum News, the company also shared the finding on Facebook and repeated that treated tap water remains safe to drink and use.
Why No Boil Water Notice
State rules do not automatically require a boil-water notice every time E. coli turns up in testing. A notice is mandatory when an E. coli maximum contaminant level violation affects the distribution system. If contamination is limited to raw groundwater at a well, the standard response is to isolate that well, disinfect it and retest, rather than issue a systemwide boil order.
Guidance from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality explains when a boil-water notice is required and what public water systems must file with the agency.
Health Risks and Local Guidance
Coliforms and E. coli are warning signs that fecal contamination may be present in water. Infections from E. coli can lead to diarrhea and, in some cases, more serious illness in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency also recommends that private-well owners test their water at least once a year and follow local health guidance if tests show contamination. CDC
NBU has listed 830-629-8400 as the customer contact number for questions.
What Happens Next
NBU’s notice states that the affected wells will be disinfected and repeatedly tested before being brought back online. Public water systems are required to issue public notices and submit certificates to the state if an E. coli violation occurs.
As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, the utility estimates it can clear the contamination and restore the wells by Tuesday. For more detail on when a boil-water notice is mandatory, see the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Customers with questions can call New Braunfels Utilities at 830-629-8400 or check the utility’s Newsroom for updates. This story will be updated as NBU posts new test results or a return-to-service notice.
