UPDATE:San Angelo water boil notice has been lifted

SAN ANGELO — The boil-water notice issued Tuesday remains in effect Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.

The city is urging people to take short showers, use paper plates to minimize dish-washing and to monitor toilet flushing. Other recommendations from the city are to limit landscape watering, washing vehicles and clothes, and taking baths, which use more water than showers.

Meanwhile, here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

Related:City of San Angelo issues boil water notice after water main break

How long will the boil-water notice continue?

A: Anthony Wilson, City of San Angelo public information officer, said there is no current timetable for when the notice will end.

"It takes time to rebuild the pressure in the system," Wilson said. "This is why we are urging people to limit their consumption to essential usage."

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which monitors water quality for Texas, states to lift a boil-water advisory, the public water system must:

Correct the condition or determine that the water does not pose an acute health risk

Flush and disinfect the affected area or entire distribution system

Return to normal operating parameters (power restored, required pressure, no excessive turbidity and at the required minimum disinfectant residual levels at all parts of the distribution system)

Collect bacteriological samples marked as special and obtain negative coliform results.

After the above has been accomplished, the system must issue the lift notice in the same manner as the boil-water notice and include the following:

Identification of the public water system

The rescinded date

The date of when the boil-water notice was issued

The problem has been resolved and the water is now safe to drink without boiling

Related:Do's and don'ts during a water boil advisory

How have restaurants and other businesses been notified?

A: "We certainly hope citizens use the many avenues available to them," Wilson said. "We've been using local media, we've posted alerts and notices on our website and we've been updating people on social media."

Related: Guidelines for restaurants during a boil water advisory

How much water was lost?

A: Wilson said Wednesday morning the city does not know how much water was lost, but based on water usage data published daily Wilson said the loss is likely minimal.

Related: Businesses closed because of the San Angelo boil water advisory

What caused the water main break?

A: Wilson said the cause of the break remains unknown, and they may never know. However, a theory is that the soil shifted.

"The pipeline is near the Red Arroyo. We had consistent scorching hot weather, and then we suddenly had a week's worth of rain," Wilson said. "While we're thankful for the rain, this could have caused the soil to shift, which puts pressure on the main, and could cause it to break."

How many customers remain without water?

A: At this time, Wilson said the city is unaware of any customers without water.