Drinking water never contaminated during four-day Austin boil notice

Despite a citywide boil notice lasting four days, a spokesperson for Austin Water says the tap water did not contain contaminants.

AUSTIN, Texas - Although Austin residents were told to boil their water, or purchase water bottles to drink during the citywide boil notice that lasted four days, it turns out that there were never any contaminants in the water.

"Austin Water routinely tests drinking water quality in accordance with federal and state rules," Austin Water spokesperson Amy Petri said. "This testing continued during the boil water event."

The routine testing revealed a turbidity spike at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, or a high measurement of cloudiness in the drinking water- indicating the possible presence of bacteria.

"The risk of contaminates can increase with higher turbidity, which is why regulatory limits for turbidity are an important element of measuring water quality," Petri said.

"Our water disinfection parameters were strong and remained within regulatory levels, we issued a boil water notice as a precaution."