LONGVIEW, Texas — The City of Longview has lifted its boil water notice originally put into place following a 30-inch water main break late Tuesday.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
11:30AM: The boil water notice for the city has been lifted.
Water samples conducted Thursday, April 7, were determined by a third-party laboratory to be negative for coliform and therefore safe for consumption.
“This test confirms that the water in Longview is safe for consumption, following our recent citywide event,” Director of Public Works Dwayne Archer said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our crews that quickly isolated the issue and restored our system without any additional complications.”
The city is continuing to flush the water system. If you experience any discoloration in your water, please run the system for a time to allow the water to circulate.
If you experience any additional water issues, please contact Public Works at 903-237-1240.
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
3:44PM: Now that water pressure has returned throughout the city, water sample testing began today which could lead to the lifting of the boil water notice currently still in effect.
The boil water notice is a requirement of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) when water systems experience a significant loss of water pressure. City staff collected water samples today and have submitted the samples to a third-party lab for testing. If the test results are clear, an announcement will be made that the boil water notice has been lifted, which now could be as soon as Friday.
It should be noted that previous information shared by the City incorrectly stated that the boil water notice could only be lifted after receiving two clear tests separated by 24 hours. City staff has since received clarification from TCEQ that the first clear test is sufficient. The safety of Longview's water customers is the city's top concern.
“This is the most significant water line break we have ever experienced, and I could not be prouder of our city employees who worked around the clock to find the leak, isolate the issue, and restore the water system,” said Public Works Director Dwayne Archer. “I also want to thank our community partners who helped with water distribution. We know this was a terrible inconvenience for everyone, but it also showed the great character of this community who have provided support and encouragement along the way.”
As of Thursday afternoon, 12 businesses near the site of the water main break remain without water, and Public Works crews are working to restore service.
A water distribution site is still available through 6 p.m. Thursday at the Longview Convention Complex, located at 100 Grand Blvd. Water bottles will be distributed while available. Additionally, bulk drinkable water will be distributed. Residents must bring their own water-safe container to collect bulk water. Water distribution will occur Friday, April 8, in conjunction with the East Texas Food Bank’s food distribution previously scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Longview Convention Complex and continue as needed.
9:40AM: According to Longview Mayor Andy Mack, the system is completely up and all water towers are full as of this morning. Public Works will be flushing lines today to clean out the lines. Water will be coming out of fire hydrants during the flushing process.
The City is hoping to do their first test this afternoon, and the second test will be 24 hours later. They are hoping to lift boil water notice on Saturday.
One-hundred-twenty pallets of water are being given away at Maude Cobb, which began at 9 a.m.. Once that water is gone, there will be water tankers on the property to allow residents to get fresh water if they bring their own jugs.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6
5:55PM: CBS19 has acquired video footage of the main water break in Longview:
4:31PM: The boil water notice is expected to remain in place until April 9 at the earliest. City of Longview offices were originally meant to reopen on April 7.
One water distribution site in Longview will be open on April 7 at the Longview Convention Complex. The site will open at 9 a.m. and will remain open as supplies are available. Traffic should enter the site from Cotton St. onto Grand Blvd.
Water system function was expected to improve during the evening hours today and into April 7, but the boil water notice will remain in effect for the majority of Longview. The City will be conducting two separate water quality tests once the water system function has been restored before the boil water notice will be lifted.
4:04PM: Longview ISD released a statement saying they will not reopen classes on April 7. Officials do not feel that the water has returned to safe levels for sanitation purposes, leading them to push opening facilities until April 8.
LISD employees are not required to report to campuses on April 7 either, unless directed by district administrators.
3:37PM: There are currently eight pallets of water at the Longview Mall with no line of cars. Water is at a first-come, first-serve basis.
2:41PM: If the boil water notice is still in place on April 7, the Longview ISD English II STAAR test will be rescheduled and administered on April 8, according to Longview ISD PIO Francisco Rojas.
2:11PM: CBS19 received images from our newspaper partners at the Longview News-Journal regarding the water main break.
Water main break photos
1:45 PM: The Longview Mall is down to their last 30 pallets. Crews are waiting for two more trucks from Brookshire's with 80 pallets each.
1 PM: Longview Convention Complex has run out of water, but more is expected to come around 2 p.m. The Longview Mall parking lot still has water and another truck has arrived there with more water as well.
12:35 PM: Longview ISD has released an updated plan regarding the ongoing water boil notice. "If the water pressure and capacity are adequate by later today, the district is optimistic that toilet facilities will be functional and safe for student and staff use." In the meantime, the district has acquired 24,000 water bottles for student and staff use.
Until the water supply is cleared by officials for drinking, LISD will provide bottled water and food preparation at all campuses. All water fountains have been temporarily disabled until the boil water advisory has been lifted and city water lines have been flushed.
12:30 PM: Longview Mayor Andy Mack said residents and businesses within a portion of north Longview, including the Spring Hill area, do not have to boil water prior to consumption.
Mack said crews are continuing to fix the water distribution system and return water pressure. This may require anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to fully charge the system.
"I will continue to keep you updated as I am updated," Mack said.
Spring Hill ISD is also no longer under the boil water notice zone following this announcement from the city. Classes will resume Thursday at the district's regularly scheduled time.
12:14 PM: Director of Marketing Libby Bryson said that the Longview Regional Medical Center is continuing medical care without disruption, but are acting out of an abundance of caution by rescheduling all patient procedures Wednesday. The hospital is providing alternative water solutions for drinking and hand washing; bathing kits for patients; and portable toilets throughout the campus for staff and visitors.
12:05 PM: According to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center spokesperson Will Knous, the hospital has "operational plans and preparations in place for this kind of thing, and that patient care isn't being negatively impacted."
11:25AM: The City of Longview is offering bottled water to residents of Longview amid the ongoing boil water notice.
Due to the loss of water or low pressure of water throughout the city, there will be two locations for bottled water pickup from 11:30 am to 10 pm. The current locations are:
- Longview Convention Complex, 100 Grand Blvd.
- Longview Mall, South Parking Lot, 3500 McCann Rd.
6:02 AM: The city of Longview issued a boil water notice, which is expected to last at least 48 hours. The notice was issued after a 30-inch water main break on Tuesday caused by the distribution system to have low pressure.
The break is isolated to the 5200 block of Loop 281 and crews are working to isolate and repair the main break.
The city of Hallsville asked residents on Facebook to conserve water to ensure there is an adequate supply for essential uses. The post requested that people stop lawn and garden sprinkling and to generally try to minimize water use.
Due to the water boil notice, Longview ISD, Pine Tree ISD and Spring Hill ISD have canceled for Wednesday. The Gregg County Courthouse, in addition to the city of Longview offices, library and recreation centers, will also be closed for regular business hours.