Boil Order Info

If a Boil Order is issued, a notice will be on the website and on Facebook. You may also sign up for Urgent Alerts (read here on how to receive as a text), and/or sign up for CodeRED Alerts. CodeRED offers the option of text messages or automated phone calls.

Please note our notices ONLY affect the City of Whitewright Public Water System. A Whitewright address does not mean you are on the Whitewright PWS. Please refer to your water bill to see which water system provides your service.

Sample Text of a Boil Order

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the City of Whitewright public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Boil water for:

  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Washing fruits and vegetables
  • Preparing food
  • Mixing baby formula
  • Making ice
  • Giving water to pets
  • Coffee makers
  • Dish washing by hand, rinsing with bottled, boiled, or chlorinated water

Use caution:

  • Water filters in most kitchens and households do NOT remove bacteria or viruses
  • Bathing babies and young children (give sponge bath; use boiled water that has cooled)

Do NOT need to boil water for:

  • Washing clothes in washing machines
  • Taking showers (adults and older children)
  • Flushing toilets
  • Car washing
  • Household cleaning