Water boil alert issued for residents of MUD 47 in Montgomery County

Officials with the Woodlands Joint Powers Agency issued a boil alert for homes receiving water service from Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 47.

James Stinson, general manager of the WJPA, said in an interview Thursday evening he expects the issue to be resolved by mid-morning on Friday. Stinson said the water samples are in the process of being tested.

"My expectation is we'll have those (test) results tomorrow morning and likely rescind the alert then," Stinson said. "This is not a widespread issue. It seems to be isolated to one single family residence."

Stinson said his staff believes the bacteria was a result of repairs and work done to the family's irrigation system.

The incident was described in a news release sent to area media. A map of the homes affected by the alert was not available Thursday.

"WJPA recently received test results showing that one sample location tested positive for E. coli bacteria in Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 47 (MUD 47)," the release said. "The sample was taken from a residential hose bibb connection on South Copperknoll Circle. Subsequent water samples upstream and downstream of this location tested negative for bacteria. We believe the positive bacteria sample to be isolated to this one address. The homeowner was immediately contacted and is working with WJPA staff to determine what may have caused the bacteria positive sample."

According to a second press release from the agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the utility district to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption. Consumption includes, the release said, includes washing hands/ or face, brushing teeth, drinking water or using water for ice cubes or cooking without boiling. E. coli bacteria can be especially dangerous to children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems.

"To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes," the district said. "The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes."

Stinson also said when it is no longer necessary to boil water, MUD 47 officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption. Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, MUD 47 will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to earlier notices.

Stinson said notifications are sent via mail, but that the WJPA now will look into phone, text and email as a communications tool to get information to residents quicker.

"We are exploring options to see what type of technology we can implement to expedite the notification process," Stinson said.

MUD 47 is one of the larger MUDs and is spread out throughout the Woodlands north of Lake Woodlands from Interstate 45, west to FM 2978 and north to FM 1488.

"It is kind of unfortunate that we have to send this to all Mud 47 residents, even though it is one isolated incident," Stinson said.

Stinson, who has been with The Woodlands JPA for 20 years, said this is the first boil-water notice on record in the master-planned community.

"There has never been one." Stinson said. "Our records indicate this never happened."