Fort Worth, Texas — Thousands of residents in Fort Worth are being urged to boil their water after a major water main break caused pressure levels to drop below state safety requirements, leaving neighborhoods dealing with flooding, muddy roads, and service disruptions.
City officials issued the precautionary boil water notice early Monday morning after a 24-inch water transmission main ruptured near Northwest 28th Street and Rosen Avenue. The break affected parts of the city’s near northside as well as portions of the Lake Worth area.
The incident has impacted approximately 4,800 residents and businesses, according to the Fort Worth Water Department.
Water Main Break Causes Flooding and Service Disruptions
Residents living near the damaged pipeline woke up to flooded streets and water rushing through neighborhoods.
Videos shared by homeowners showed muddy water flowing across roads, driveways, and front yards as crews worked to contain the situation.
Among those affected was resident Jorge Garcia, who said he noticed unusual changes in water pressure days before the rupture occurred.
“A few days ago, it just went up, then came down. I just thought it was weird, but now I guess we’re just ready to bust,” Garcia said.
The damaged pipeline is part of Fort Worth’s aging water infrastructure system, which city officials have been working to replace in phases.
Which Areas Are Affected?
According to city officials, the boil water notice applies to customers served by the Northside 2 pressure plane.
One affected area is generally bordered by Angle Avenue to the east, the cities of River Oaks and Sansom Park to the west, Sherman Street to the north, and portions of Jacksboro Highway to the south and west.
A second impacted zone includes parts of the Lake Worth area. Officials emphasized that the notice does not apply to customers located within River Oaks or Sansom Park.
Residents Asked to Boil Water Before Use
Because water pressure dropped below minimum standards established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, officials are advising residents to take precautions before consuming tap water.
Customers should boil water intended for:
- Drinking
- Cooking
- Brushing teeth
- Making ice
- Preparing food
City officials recommend bringing water to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes before using it. For some longtime residents, the notice represents an unusual adjustment.
“I am old-school. We drink water from the faucet, like nothing, you know? I guess now we’re going to have to start boiling it,” Garcia said.
Bottled Water Distribution Underway
To assist affected residents, Fort Worth has established a bottled water distribution site at the North Tri-Ethnic Center on Roosevelt Avenue.
Texas, Louisiana on Alert as Potential Tropical Storm Brings Dangerous Flooding Threat
The distribution center is providing one case of bottled water per vehicle while supplies last.
Officials said distribution began Monday and will continue as needed while repairs and testing are completed. The emergency effort is designed to help families maintain access to safe drinking water during the disruption.
Repairs Could Take Several Days
City crews have already isolated the damaged section of the water main and continue working to repair the rupture. Traffic restrictions remain in place near the affected area as crews excavate sections of roadway to access the damaged pipe.
According to Fort Worth Water Department spokesperson Mary Gugliuzza, the city has made progress replacing older cast-iron water lines, but hundreds of miles of aging infrastructure still require upgrades.
“We have made progress. It’s just, there’s still another 500 miles out there that we still have to deal with down the road,” Gugliuzza said.
Once repairs are completed, water samples will be collected and tested for bacteria. The testing process typically takes about 24 hours, and officials say it may take several days before service fully returns to normal.
Until then, residents are being encouraged to follow the boil water guidance and monitor updates from the city regarding the status of repairs and water quality testing.
Have you ever experienced a boil water notice or major utility outage in your area? How did it impact your daily routine? Share your thoughts and experiences respectfully in the comments below.