All Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) customers should boil their water before consumption, the utility said Friday afternoon.
The move comes after MLGW issued boil water advisories for parts of its service areas Thursday, affecting about 15 percent of total customers. The situation worsened since then, MLGW said.
“Due to days of freezing weather [MLGW] has experienced multiple line breaks which has resulted in a significant loss of pressure to the drinking water system in Memphis and Shelby County,” it said in a statement Friday. “As a precautionary measure, we are asking MLGW water customers to boil water before consumption. We are also asking customers to curtail water usage and to repair any ruptured lines in their homes or businesses.”
For this, customers should boil tap water for at least one minute before consuming it. MLGW asked that customers use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking. Safe water should also be used for making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food until further notice. Tap water is safe for bathing and showering, MLGW said, but try to avoid getting it in your mouth.
The boil water announcement came just after MLGW announced that some customers do not have running water at all as the effects of winter storms continue to ripple through the Mid-South.
MLGW said Friday afternoon that water pressure continues to be a concern for many customers. Some have no water at all and the utility listed these are some possible reasons why:
• Pressures have dropped too low because of leaks between the customer’s home and MLGW’s pumping station.
• MLGW secured a leaking water line to repair it.
• The customer’s home has a line that is frozen and water is not flowing.
“MLGW crews are working around the clock to find and fix leaks in the system and restore normal water pressure to all customers affected,” the utility said in a statement.
Before the storm hit, MLGW suggested customers stock up on bottled drinking water to drink, brush teeth, cook with, and more. It also said to fill a container or bathtub with water for cleaning and flushing toilets.
”Now is the time to make use of that water,” MLGW said.
Those without water can pick up two free cases of bottled water (per vehicle) Friday from 2-4 p.m. at:
Shelby County Fire Station 62
4647 Forest Hill Irene
Memphis, TN 38125
Shelby County Fire Station 67
944 Northaven Drive
Memphis, TN 38127
The water giveaway is a partnership between MLGW, the Shelby County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency, and the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management.
