MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UPDATE 2/25/2021 - 4:30 p.m. - The Shelby County Health Department offers these recommendations for residents after the boil water advisory:
MLGW has lifted its precautionary boil water advisory issued on February 18, 2021. The utility reports that water analysis meets all state and federal water quality standards. The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) recommends that all MLGW water customers take the following steps to flush faucets, water lines and appliances connected to the water supply.
- Turn on the main water valve if it had been turned off.
- Flush any faucet a minimum of two minutes to ensure the water line is cleared. Begin with the faucet highest in your home or building, then open other faucets one at a time, moving from highest floor to lowest.
- Discard any ice made during the boil water notice.
- Check water filters in faucets, refrigerators and other appliances and replace if necessary.
- Owners and managers of buildings should ensure the entire water system is flushed and that water storage takes are drained and refilled.
Recommendations for all food service and retail service establishments:
- Flush pipes throughout the facility by running each faucet with cold water for five (5) minutes.
- Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances that use tap water (such as beverage dispensers, spray misters, coffee and tea urns, ice machines, glass washers, dishwashers) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
- Flush hot water tanks.
- Run drinking fountains continuously for (5) minutes to flush the system.
- Replace and sanitize water filter cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Take proper steps to flush ice machines by following the manufacturer’s instructions, including:
- Throw out any remaining ice.
- Flush the water line to the machine inlet.
- Close the valve on the water line behind the machine.
- Disconnect the water line from the machine inlet.
- Open the valve and run 5 gallons of water through the valve.
- Dispose of the water.
- Close the valve.
Questions may be directed to the Health Department’s Environmental Health and Food Safety Program at 901-222-9158. After hours calls will be returned the following day.
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3:10 p.m. - MLGW announced Thursday the boil water advisory has been lifted.
From MLGW:
"Memphis Light, Gas and Water ( #0000450) is pleased to report that the precautionary boil water advisory issued on February 18, 2021 has been lifted and there are no restrictions remaining on the normal use of drinking water supplied to all MLGW water customers. This action has been taken following consultation with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Residential and commercial customers are still asked to conserve water until Friday at 10 a.m. MLGW will contact large industrial customers about water conservation methods.
A precautionary boil water advisory was issued following recent water main breaks and freezing temperatures which caused low water pressure to MLGW’s water system. The advisory has been lifted after analytical results taken from the water system met all state and federal water quality standards.
What customers should do next?
- Turn on the main water valve if it has been closed.
- Flush any faucet a minimum of two minutes to ensure clearing of the line serving the faucet. Begin with the faucet that is highest up in your home or building and then open the other faucets one at a time moving from the highest floor to the lowest.
- Discard any ice made during the boil water notice.
- Check water filters (in faucets, refrigerators and elsewhere) and replace if necessary.
- Owners and managers of large buildings should ensure that their entire system is flushed and that storage tanks are drained and refilled.
If the water is discolored:
- Flush water pipes by running the water until it is clear.
- Do not wash clothes if the water is discolored. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap. Wash a load of dark clothes first.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact MLGW’s Water Quality Assurance Lab at 320-3950, or email waterlab@mlgw.org."
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2/24/2021 - Watch Wednesday's news conference HERE.
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2/23/2021 - Due to technical difficulties, Tuesday's news conference is not available.
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2/22/2021 - Watch Monday's news conference HERE.