TULSA, Okla. — The City of Tulsa issued a voluntary boil orderuntil further notice for Tulsa water customers who experienced low water pressure, are seeing discolored water, and those who have recently had water service restored after their water was shutoff for waterline repairs.
This order comes after officials talked to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ),
This advisory is in effect for at least 72 hours or until the water system says the water is safe to drink again, whichever comes later.
Impacted customers are asked to take the following precautions until further notice:
- If tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears
- Boil water intended for consumption for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation - or use bottled water
- Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker
- Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water
Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled but:
- Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested
- Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians before utilizing the water in a bath or shower setting
Food Establishment Water Emergency Operational Procedures
The Tulsa Health Department recommends the following actions be followed to protect public health due to the voluntary boil order advisory.
- Boil water for at least one minute
- Use boiled or bottled water for coffee and;
- Serve bottled or canned beverages
- Ice: Utilize premanufactured ice and if ice was produced during the time of the boil water order, discard the ice and shut off water to ice machines
- Food Preparation: Use only bottled or boiled water to wash fruit and vegetables - best practice is to use prewashed packaged produce and fruit until advisory lifts
- Hand Washing: Boil water and set up temporary hand-washing stations in food prep areas and restrooms used by employees
- Three-Compartment Sinks: Fill with boiled or bottled water in each compartment. Change as often as needed. Sanitize in last compartment that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water
- Customer Service: Use only single service eating and drinking utensils for customer service
- Cook Line: Use boiled or bottled water for food preparation
- Dipper Wells: Remove utensils and discontinue use
Grocery Stores
In addition to deli-type operations, THD advises grocery stores should turn off misters in the produce department:
- If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears
- Boil water intended for consumption for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation - or use bottled water
To be clear, this is a voluntary boil order issued as a precaution, not a mandatory boil order. Voluntary boil orders are issued when conditions are present for a potential problem with the drinking water, but a problem has not been confirmed.
The city is in constant contact with ODEQ regarding the water situation.
Creek County officials also said Creek County Rural Water District 2 is also suggesting customers do the same.
Water Stations & 24/7 Water Pick-Up
In addition to River Spirit Expo and Tulsa Fire Stations, beginning at noon Saturday, water trucks will be available 24/7 for residents at:
- LaFortune Park, 5837 S. Yale Ave. (next to the ballfields)
- McClure Community Center, 7440 E. 7th St. (next to the tennis courts)
- TCC Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache St. (Lot 4 - enter off of Harvard)
River Spirit Expo Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- To access the expo, enter from the south main lobby at Gate 2 - parking will be available near the Tulsa Golden Driller
Tulsa Fire Stations Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- If you’re at a fire station, please be patient, as many firefighters are working on high levels of calls for service.
*Residents must bring their own containers to all locations and masks are required.
Beginning Saturday, Tulsa County residents that are homebound and who have their water shut-off due to emergency service issues can call 211 and the “Be a Neighbor” organization will deliver water to their home at no-charge.
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