AUSTIN — The City of Austin is asking all people to boil their water before consuming it -- effective immediately.
The city said last week's flooding brought in massive amounts of debris and silt, which is making it difficult for Austin Water's plants to filter through the water. The city is asking all customers to boil water used for drinking, cooking or ice.
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Schools in the Austin-area are making adjustments with the boil water notice in effect.
Austin ISD
School leaders said all schools will run as normal with some adjustments Tuesday. Officials said campus drinking fountains are covered and closed off to students. Austin ISD said they've informed cafeteria managers of the boil instructions for safety. As a result, officials said they won't offer a salad bar for students and would adjust the menu to focus on hot vegetables and fruits -- apples and oranges. Austin ISD said they would provide water for students, but they're also encouraging students to bring their own drinks from home. All campuses are also accepting water donations, Austin ISD said.
Austin Community College
Officials said they are aware of the situation, and they've already taped off water fountains at impacted campuses within the city limits. All ACC campuses will remain open and students and employees are encouraged to bring water bottles to school.
Dripping Springs ISD
School officials said three of their campuses are following along with the boil water advisory issued by the West Travis County Public Utility Agency. Those include Rooster Springs Elementary, Sycamore Springs Middle School and Sycamore Springs Elementary School. Officials said nutrition services is going to provide safe drinking water and lunches for the campuses.
Eanes ISD
School officials said they would remain open during the boil water notice. However, if things change, the district said they would alert parents, students and staff. In the meantime, all water fountains have been covered at the campuses, and water bottles have been delivered to all campuses and buildings, including ATS. School leaders said they brought enough water for kitchen operations to continue Tuesda, and they are working to have enough water available for the following days. Parents are encouraged to send their children to school with bottled water and a prepared lunch if possible. All campuses in the district are accepting bottled water donations or gallons of water if available.
Lake Travis ISD
School authorities said the following schools are impacted by the boil water notice, according to the Western Travis County Public Utility Agency: Bee Cave Elementary, Lake Pointe Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School and LTISD Transportation/Distribution/Information Technology Center. Lake Travis ISD said district staff will cover water fountains and provide bottled water for students and staff. Officials said the food and nutrition services department would make adjustments to comply with the boil water advisory.
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Leander ISD
School leaders said five of their campuses are impacted by the boil water notice, and they don't expect any additional campuses to have water issues at this time. The affected schools include Grandview Hills, River Place, Rutledge, Four Points and Vandergrift. Monday Leander ISD said they worked with each school to get them clean water and food.
Manor ISD
Officials said some of their campuses have been impacted by the Austin Water boil water notice. Officials said all impacted campuses will provide bottled water for students and staff. Manor ISD said the school cafeterias would take the proper steps to make sure that all water used for meals is safe. Parents are encouraged to send their children to school with bottled water.
Pflugerville ISD
Officials said several of their campuses are affected by the boil water notice. They're asking students to bring bottled water to school with them. Officials said they have a plan in place for on-campus meals, and they would provide bottled water and sanitizing stations.
Round Rock ISD
Officials said on Twitter that some of their schools are impacted by Austin's boil water notice. As a result, they said they would provide bottled water for students and take precaution with their food preparation.
The district's Operations Department provided water to students with 40-gallon containers and pre-packaged water bottles. The maintenance department is also working to replenish these as needed.
The cafeterias around the district have been continuously changing their menus to reduce the usage of water and to have enough clean, boiled water when it is needed. The district also recommends parents to send students with bottles of water or pre-packaged boiled water from their homes.
Here is a list of schools and facilities that are affected by the boiled water notice accordingly to Round Rock ISD:
- Anderson Mill Elementary
- Canyon Creek Elementary
- Canyon Vista Middle School
- Caraway Elementary
- Deerpark Middle School
- Elsa England Elementary
- Forest North Elementary
- Grisham Middle School
- Grounds Maintenance
- Joe Lee Johnson Elementary
- Jollyville Elementary
- Kelly Reeves Stadium
- Laurel Mountain Elementary
- Live Oak Elementary
- McNeil High School
- McNeil Performing Arts Center
- Pearson Ranch Middle School
- Pond Springs Elementary
- Purple Sage Elementary
- Sommer Elementary
- Spicewood Elementary
- Transportation West
- Westwood High School
- Wells Branch Elementary
University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin said they would keep their normal schedule during the boil water notice. Monday night, school leaders said they encourage students to bring either bottled water, bottled drinks, and food to campus; school leaders said some off-campus restaurants might not be operating during the boil water advisory. All drinking fountains on campus are covered and the University Housing and Dining provided bottled water to students and staff at mealtime. UT Austin said other food vendors on campus were notified of the boil water notice and given safety guidance. School leaders said they are also in the process of developing a contingency plan to provide bottled water at stations on campus. Officials suggested on-campus residents boil water in their microwaves for three minutes.
Additionally, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is supplying millions of bottles of water to local schools and other public institutions. Those recipients include more than 120 campuses in Austin ISD, 18 additional school districts in the area, as well as certain hospitals and correctional facilities.
“Helping Texans in need is at the heart of what we do as an agency,” Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Courtney Phillips said. “Our team members are dedicated to serving our communities in crisis and we will do whatever is necessary to assist.”