GRAND PRAIRIE – Mayor Ron Jensen announced late Thursday that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has approved the city’s water use.
“We’re done,” Jensen said at a 9 p.m. press conference. “We received a clean bill of health from the TCEQ about an hour ago.”
Jensen urged residents in affected areas to run hot water for 15 minutes, then cold water for five minutes, and to flush toilets before using the water again. If residents follow these steps, they will be able to use the water.
Jensen said TCEQ told the city that if water pressure was maintained at a certain level, a boil water notice would not be necessary.
Residents living north of Interstate 20 were previously advised not to use the water for drinking. The foam used by firefighters to fight the blaze got into the water supply.Approximately 60,000 Grande Prairie residents were affected.
For specific information on how and when to perform water flushing or draining procedures from the City of Grande Prairie, click here.
Meanwhile, Grande Prairie Independent School District schools will be closed Friday as the district says it needs time to flush water pipes (including sinks, drinking fountains, ice machines and water heaters) at its 36 campuses.
“The Grande Prairie Independent School District must take several steps to ensure each campus has safe water before students return to school,” the district said on its website.
GPISD schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, Sept. 9.
“We apologize for any inconvenience, but the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority and we will take all necessary steps to provide a safe environment at all campuses and facilities within GPISD,” the district said.
