Water Boil Notice Rescinded 12-31-2025

Water Boil Advisory

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Questions/Report Leaks (Preguntas / Informar fugas) 979-337-7400

Boil Water Notice

7:00 AM Update - 12/31/25 - We are still awaiting water testing results so the boil water notice (rolling boil) remains in effect. We are hoping and praying the results come back today. We will update again at noon.


5:00 PM Update - 12/30/25 - The boil water notice (rolling boil) is still in effect. The water must undergo the required testing before the notice can be lifted. We hope it will be soon! We thank you for your patience.

10:15 AM Update - 12/30/25 - The boil water notice (rolling boil) is still in effect. We will update here, the City's Facebook page, and through Everbridge when the notice is lifted. If you are not signed up to receive the emergency notifications, you can do so at https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736722863

4:00 AM Update - 12/30/25 - Crews completed the repairs. The boil water notice (rolling boil) is still in effect. Many thanks to the crews for working through the night!

9:52 PM Update - Water and pressure have been restored. Boil water notice still in effect until further notice.

9:12 PM Update - The leak has been isolated. Water and pressure should be restored shortly. Boil water notice still in effect until further notice.

Original message -
A water main break has occurred at 613 E. Blue Bell Rd. affecting much of the City of Brenham. A boil water notice is in effect for all residents at this time. Please boil tap water before drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. City crews are on scene actively working to restore water service and pressure as quickly as possible. You can monitor the status of the boil water notice on the city’s website or Facebook page. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

On December 29, 2025, the City of Brenham experienced a water main break that led to reduced pressure in the water distribution system, with some areas experiencing a loss of water service. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Brenham (PWS ID:TX2390001) public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

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 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.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Joshua Daniels, Water and Wastewater Construction Superintendent, at 979-337-7438 or jodaniels@cityofbrenham.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

After the rescind notice goes out, do I need to flush any water lines in my home?

Answer: Yes. It is recommended to flush cold water taps for at least five minutes, starting on the lowest floor and moving upward. Then flush hot water lines for 15–30 minutes. Discard any ice or water from appliances such as ice makers and refrigerators, clean faucet aerators, run dishwashers and washing machines (use a sanitizing cycle if available), and replace all water filters.

After the rescinding - do I need to replace filters in my fridge/RO unit/ice maker/etc.?

Answer: Yes. The EPA recommends replacing all water filters such as refrigerator, faucet-mounted, under-sink, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems after a boil water notice has been rescinded. In addition, you should flush household pipes, discard any ice made during the advisory.

What caused this incident?

Answer: The incident was caused by a break in a 12-inch water main resulting from aging infrastructure and weather-related factors. As a result, water distribution pressures dropped below 20 pounds per square inch (psi), leading to low pressure and water outages in most areas.

Can I do laundry during boil water notice?

Answer: Yes, you can generally do laundry during a boil water notice, as it is safe for washing clothes. The main concern during a boil water notice is ingesting the water, not skin contact or laundry use.

Why are some restaurants open and others are not, some are serving drinks and some are not?

Answer: It is possible restaurants are not aware of the boil notice, or are operating using guidelines from DSHS Guidance for Boil Water Notice. Development Services handles Health and Food Safety. Concerns about restaurant operations should be reported and can be made with our report it form.

Can I use the water and auto ice makers with filters in my frig during a boil water notice?

Answer: Tap water should be boiled even if it has been filtered, because most household water filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. This includes reverse osmosis filters, while some point-of-use systems may reduce bacteria, their effectiveness depends on proper pore size, installation, and maintenance. For safety, CDC boil water advisory guidance recommends boiling all tap water, even if it has passed through a home filtration system. Ice should not be used from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers during a boil water notice. All ice made with tap water should be thrown out, and new ice should only be made using boiled or bottled water.

What should I do during a Boil Water Notice?

Answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance and tips for Drinking Water Advisories including Boil Water Notices here.

Are the machines where one goes to refill the gallons of water safe?

Answer: No. It should not be assumed that water from a refill station is safe for consumption during a boil water notice. If the station is supplied by the municipal water system subject to the advisory, it is exposed to the same potential contamination risks as residential tap water.

Can I shower or take a bath during a boil water advisory?

Answer: Yes. Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.