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Questions or Comments: PDWS@tceq.texas.gov

What to Do in a Drinking Water Crisis

Situations when public water system (PWS) operators, owners, and staff need to act immediately.

Immediate Notification Required for Water Outage, Boil Water, Do-Not-Use, and Do-Not-Consume Notices

If any of the conditions below have occurred in your PWS, use the Immediate Notification Form to report the situation. PWSs are still required to follow all existing rules about issuing and rescinding a boil water notice or other advisory. If you need assistance filling out the Immediate Notification Form or to report verbally, call 833-419-0551 (toll free) or 512-424-2208.

  • Unplanned condition that has caused a drinking water outage.
  • Issuance of a:
    • Do-not-use advisory,
    • Do-not-consume advisory, or
    • Boil water notice (BWN).

Immediate notification is required per Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) subsection 341.033(i)(6) and codified in 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 290.46(w).

Issuing a Boil Water Notice

If conditions in your PWS make it necessary for you to issue a Boil Water Notice (BWN), the PWS must notify the BWN program, at PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov, as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours with a copy of the BWN.

Typical conditions requiring a PWS to issue a BWN include:

  • Positive E. coli results,
  • Acute turbidity exceedances,
  • Low disinfectant residual; and
  • Water outages or pressures below 20 PSI in the distribution system.

Instructions and templates with mandatory BWN language can be found at Boil Water Notice. BWN regulations are under 290.46(q)(1) . Contact the BWN program at PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov or 512-239-1069.

Find an Accredited Lab for Microbial Testing

Find an accredited lab at Microbial Testing Laboratory Map , to analyze your drinking water samples for coliform and E. coli. Always call the lab to verify their address, sample drop off hours, and prices.

E. coli MCL Violation

In the event an E. coli MCL violation,  290.109(b) Maximum contaminant levels for microbial contaminants, occurs the PWS is required to complete the following actions as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after becoming aware of the E. coli MCL violation:

  • Notify the RTCR Program at 512-239-1063 or TCRDATA@tceq.texas.gov. If after hours or the TCEQ is closed, call 512-656-4853.
  • Notify customers using the mandatory BWN language due to an E. coli MCL violation at Boil Water Notice. 
  • Email a copy of the BWN and completed certificate of delivery to PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov.

Acute SWTR Violation

In the event a acute SWTR violation occurs, the PWS is required to complete the following actions as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after the acute SWTR violation occurred:

  • Notify the SWTR Program by completing  Public Drinking Water Violation Report Form (TCEQ-10449) and email to SWTR@tceq.texas.gov. Include if the PWS needs treatment assistance.
    • The form and associated data will help the SWTR Program determine if this is an acute violation, if a BWN is required, and if additional assistance is needed.
  • Notify customers using the mandatory BWN language due to a SWTR Violation under the BWN section at Public Notice Language for Drinking Water Compliance.
    • If for any reason you cannot consult with TCEQ within 24 hours of the incident, you must issue a BWN. The PWS does not need TCEQ approval to notify customers about a BWN.
  • Email a copy of the posted public notice and completed certificate of delivery to PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov. 

Use the following information and documents to determine if your PWS (surface water or groundwater under the influence only) has an acute SWTR violation.

For questions contact the SWTR Program at 512-239-1064 or SWTR@tceq.texas.gov. 

Acute Nitrate and Nitrite MCL Violation 

In the event a nitrate or nitrite MCL violation,  290.106(b) Maximum contaminant levels for Inorganic Contaminants, occurs the PWS is required to complete the following actions as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after becoming aware of the nitrate or nitrite MCL violation:

  • Notify customers using the mandatory public notice language for an MCL, Single Sample for Nitrate or MCL, Single Sample for Nitrite at Public Notice Language for Drinking Water Compliance. The public notice template and certificate of delivery is under the Chemical Violations section.
  • Email a copy of the public notice and completed certificate of delivery to PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov.

A safe, alternative drinking water source should be used if the PWS is exceeding the MCL for nitrate or nitrite, especially if there are babies under six months old drinking water or it is being use to make formula. Boiling water is not a safe option if your water has nitrate or nitrite; boiling water will increase concentrations and the health risk.

For questions, contact the Inorganics Program at 512-239-1064 or PWSCHEM@tceq.texas.gov.

Chlorine Dioxide Exceedance

If your PWS treats the drinking water with chlorine dioxide, and the daily chlorine dioxide sample at the entry point exceeds the maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) of 0.8 mg/L, the PWS must:  

After follow-up sampling, if the system has an acute MRDL violation as listed in 290.110(b)(3) and 290.110(f)(5), as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours:

  • Notify the Chlorine Dioxide Program by emailing DBP@tceq.texas.gov. The subject line must include your 7-digit PWS ID and Acute Chlorine Dioxide MRDL Violation.
  • Notify customers using the mandatory public notice language for an MRDL, Acute chlorine dioxide on Public Notice Language for Drinking Water Compliance. The public notice template and certificate of delivery is under the Other Drinking Water Rule Violations section.
  • Email a copy of the public notice and completed certificate of delivery to PWSNOTICE@tceq.texas.gov.

For questions, contact the TCEQ Chlorine Dioxide Program at 512-239-1062 or DBP@tceq.texas.gov .

Outbreak of Waterborne Disease

Whenever you become aware of a waterborne disease outbreak within your PWS, you must contact TCEQ immediately by phone. If it is clear from the nature of the incident that a boil water notice would be appropriate, issue the notice immediately and contact us right away.

Spills with Environmental Impacts

If you become aware of a spill that could affect the Texas environment, report it to our Regional office emergency response staff.

Other Threats to Your Customers’ Health

If any other incident arises that does or could threaten your customers’ health through the contamination or loss of your drinking water supply, contact TCEQ as soon as possible in one of these ways:

Our staff will help you assess the potential threat and determine your best course of action.