Water restrictions, boil order now in effect for city of Natchitoches | Environment

The City of Natchitoches has issued a city-wide boil order due to low water pressure.  All customers of the City of Natchitoches, Water Works District #1, and Clarence water system are under the boil order.  Natchitoches is facing historically the highest consumption demand ever for water.  Due to the unprecedented usage the city will impose mandatory water restrictions.

City of Natchitoches Utility Director Bryan Wimberly said high usage has caused the water pressure to drop.  There was a slight increase in pressure over night but in order to sustain water volume and pressure we must conserve water.  The city has imposed the following water use restriction:

Level 3:  Mandatory:  Odd-numbered addresses may use water outdoors only on Sundays.  Even-numbered or unnumbered addresses and golf courses may use water outdoors on Saturdays.  No outdoor water use is allowed on scheduled days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight).  All non-essential outdoor water use is banned.  To ensure compliance, police will patrol neighborhoods. Warning tickets will be issued for the first offense; repeated offenses may face the possibility of water services being suspended.

All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes should be boiled, by a rolling boil for one minute.  People can use bottled water instead of tap water, as well.

It is not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes, such as showering, laundry, or bathing. Adults, teens, and older children can wash, bathe, or shower; however, they should avoid swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge-bathed.

The city and Department of Health and Hospitals are in the process of testing water samples, once water is determined safe for consumption, the boil order will be lifted.  DHH regulations require that the boil order stay in place for at least 24-48 hours.  The public will be notified when boil order is lifted.  Water restrictions will be in place until further notified.

For more information about the boil order or mandatory water restrictions, please call the City of Natchitoches Utility Department at (318) 357-3880.