Grand Prairie water supply cleared for use after contamination scare
GRAND PRAIRIE – Mayor Ron Jensen announced late Thursday that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has cleared the city's water for use.
"It's over," Jensen said at a 9 p.m. news conference. "We got a clean bill of health about an hour ago from TCEQ."
Jensen advised residents in the affected area to run hot water for 15 minutes, then cold water for five minutes, and to flush their toilets before using the water again. Residents can use the water after following those protocols.
The TCEQ informed the city that a boil water notice would not be necessary if water pressure remains at a certain level, Jensen said.
Residents living north of Interstate 20 were previously advised not to use drinking water after a foaming agent, used by firefighters battling a blaze, entered the water supply. About 60,000 residents in Grand Prairie were affected.
For specific information from the city of Grand Prairie on how and when water-flushing or water-clearing procedures should be followed, click here.
Meanwhile, Grand Prairie ISD schools will be closed on Friday. The district says it needs time to flush water lines – sinks, drinking fountains, ice machines, water heaters – at its 36 campuses.
"Grand Prairie ISD has several steps we must take to ensure each campus has safe water for our students before they return to school," the district said on its website.
Plans are to reopen GPISD schools on Monday, Sept. 9.
"We apologize for the inconvenience; however, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will take all the necessary steps to ensure we provide a safe environment at every campus and facility in GPISD," the district said.