PaulAnn Industrial Area Do-not-use Water Advisory Downgraded

SAN ANGELO, TX – The City of San Angelo, with TCEQ approval, was able to downgrade the do-not-use advisory for the northern industrial area to a do-not-drink advisory (white area on map)Thursday. This means water can be used for showering, bathing, and laundry, but not for drinking or cooking. We advise residents and businesses in this area to flush your systems before use. 

View map for February 25, 2021: https://www.cosatx.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=33474

This recommendation is based on post hydrant flush sample results received on the evening of February 24, 2021, demonstrating that drinking water samples collected from that area of the City did not contain any chemicals of concern. The do-not-drink advisory is being put in place in an abundance of caution to protect against possible risks from water ingestion, until additional information is received. 

The northern industrial area was physically separated through valves and has remained isolated since February 8.

The investigation into the source of the contamination is still ongoing. This is not a quick or a simple investigation. The City along with experts from TCEQ, and the City of McAllen, have investigated and continue to investigate multiple businesses in the area, but still do not have the concrete evidence we need to pinpoint the official source of contamination. As soon as we have information to report we will let the public know.

Do's and Don'ts

Please refer below for further information on the recommended “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for the “do-not-drink” advisory area (this is only applicable to the white “do-not-drink” area in the attached map):

- DO

- Take showers

- Wash dishes

- Wash Laundry

- Wash your hands 

- DON’T

- Drink water from the faucet (continue to use bottled water)

- Cook with water from the faucet (if you cook, use bottled 

water)

- Brush your teeth with water from the faucet (when you 

brush, use bottled water)

- Use ice from an automatic dispenser (purchase from a 

commercial facility within the current green area of the 

attached map)

- Prepare coffee with water from the faucet (continue to use 

using bottled water)

- Fill pet water bowls from the faucet (continue to use bottled 

water)

Flushing

In addition to “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for the do-not-drink advisory for the northern industrial area, we recommend initiating flushing at each residence and business. Refer below to recommended steps to begin flushing anticipated areas of stored water within your residence or business.

These steps are recommended for the northern industrial area as contaminants were originally found in this area.

- If you have not flushed one or more of your toilets over the past several days, flush at least 2-3 times to completely flush water through your toilet, tank and piping.

- Turn on all of your faucets and showers at the same time with both cold and hot, and let the faucets and showers run for approximately 30 minutes or until the water turns cold in order to flush your hot water heater.

- If you have a washing machine, run at least one empty cycle using warm water with detergent to flush both hot and cold water lines.

- If you have a dishwasher, run at least one empty cycle using warm water.

- Open the faucets on outdoor hose bib connections for 2-3 minutes to flush exterior piping (outdoor hose bib flushing can also wait until the weather warms back up).

- As soon as the northern industrial area can be released to normal water use (pending test results), that information will be released by the City.