Map Shows Where People Told Not to Use Drinking Water

City officials in Grand Prairie, Texas, are urging residents who live north of Interstate 20 not to drink or use tap water other than for flushing.
On Tuesday, city officials detected a foaming agent in the city’s water supply for residents north of I-20. The city put out an advisory that urged residents not to drink or use their tap water other than for flushing, adding that “failure to follow this advisory could result in illness.” Crews were working to remedy the problem on Wednesday morning. It is unclear how the foaming agent got into the city’s water supply.
Newsweek reached out to the city of Grand Prairie by email for comment.
In a press release issued Wednesday morning, the city said that “due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Grand Prairie to notify its customers not to use tap water for consumption.”
That includes not using water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or making beverages or ice. Also, tap water should not be given to animals to drink and should not be used for dishwashing.
The city included a map of the affected area with the press release. One of the city’s comments on Facebook said that the map was an approximate location and that anyone living near the area should avoid using the water until further notice.
“Do not try and treat the water yourself,” the warning said. “Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe.”
The city is distributing bottled water as long as supplies last.
“Water is now available at Lone Star Park, located at 1000 Lone Star Parkway, until supplies last,” the city posted on Facebook on Wednesday morning.
Dozens of cars waited in line to receive a case on Wednesday morning, CBS News reported. The Grand Prairie Independent School District has closed its schools because of the water problem, the district said on Facebook, and plans to reopen on Thursday. Parks facilities operated by the city also have been closed, according to a Facebook post.
The city’s original post about the water has been shared more than 3,000 times. The city has included additional updates about the situation in the post’s comments section.
One of the comments said: “We understand this is a difficult situation but encourage all Grand Prairie residents to continue monitoring our website and social media accounts for the latest information. We ask that you follow all guidelines presented by the City until the all clear is given.”
The comment continued: “Please check on your friends and neighbors especially if they have a hard time getting out of the house or if you suspect they might not have heard about the issue because of connection limitations, accessibility concerns or language barriers.
“And please don’t forget about your pets. Bottled water is best for them until further notice as well.”