You can stop boiling water, Austin! The city officially lifted the week-long boil water notice, put in place on Monday, Oct. 22, following recent flooding. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has cleared Austin tap water quality, confirming it meets all regulatory standards and is now back to being safe for drinking, cooking, and making ice.

Residential customers are not required to flush their pipes for general water, notes the city utility. However, some conservation restrictions are still in place in an effort to make sure enough water supply is available for customers until the system gets back to normal. That means:

• No outdoor irrigation

• No adding water to pools or spas

• No operation of ornamental fountains

• No at-home pressure, vehicle, or surface washing

But by this Monday, Oct. 29, at 10am, you will be able to:

• Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash compliant with City Code 6-4-10 (B)

• Operate irrigation systems for the purpose of testing or repair by a licensed irrigation professional

• Conduct pressure washing using commercial equipment in compliance with City Code 6-4-11 (B)

Waterway bans for Lake Austin and Lake Travis remain in effect and will be “reevaluated” on Monday. Additionally, a handful of city facilities and parks remain closed, including: Bartholomew Pool; Springwoods Pool; Red Bud Isle and Red Bud Trail; Butler/Liz Carpenter fountains; Walsh Boat Landing; boating concessions on Lady Bird Lake; and water fountains throughout the park system.

The boil water notice is also lifted for the following Austin Water wholesale customers, according to the city: City of Rollingwood, City of Sunset Valley, Creedmoor Maha WSC, High Valley WSC, Marsha WSC, Mid-Tex Utility, Morningside Subdivision, Nighthawk WSC, Northtown MUD, North Austin MUD, Rivercrest Water System, Travis County WCID #10, Wells Branch MUD, and Windermere Utility.

If customers have questions about the boil water lift, they can call 311 or check out these FAQs provided by the city.

This article appears in October 26 • 2018.

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