Here's Why the Largest City in Texas is Under a Boil Water Notice

HOUSTON – The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States is under a boil water notice Monday after a massive power outage.  

According to reports out of Houston, millions of Houston residents are expected to remain under a boil water notice until Tuesday — and all Houston school district campuses, offices and facilities are closed Monday.

After a power outage at the East Water Purification Plant on Sunday, the nation's fourth largest city told water customers to boil water before food preparation, drinking, bathing or brushing teeth. Customers were also told avoid using water from refrigerators or ice makers. Those who cannot boil water are advised to use bottled water. The Houston Public Works department says its water system serves 2.2 million customers.

The boil water notice is expected to be lifted Tuesday morning, after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reviews the city's water samples, according to Houston Public Works spokesperson Erin Jones. Workers were expected to collect samples Monday after the TCEQ approved the city's water sampling plan.