“Drinking water loss is expected to be forty-eight hours at this time,” said Hector County. The catastrophe was announced when the main water line in Odessa broke and spilled gallon after gallon in the streets, dropping water pressure throughout the city system. City officials said work to repair the water pipeline took longer than expected. The Public Water System of the city of Odessa has issued a boiling water notice that will remain until the water pressure is restored and the water is deemed safe for use. Boiled or bottled water should be used for “hand / face washing, tooth brushing, drinking,” the city said. “Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria and all customers should follow these guidelines,” the city said. However, some residents reported that they had no water at all or had other problems. Odessa in West Texas was hit by a water cut in West Texas as a heat wave swept through the city. Eli Hartman / Odessa American via AP Water outages could leave up to 165,000 people with little or no water for 48 hours. / Odessa American via AP “I have brown water coming out of the taps. “One knows what is happening,” KMID-TV reported. Water shortages have forced local hospitals to cancel surgeries, summer school classes to be suspended and restaurants to close their doors, according to local reports. The Texas Department of Emergency Management has developed bottled water trucks that will be distributed by local officials at distribution points, Gov. Greg Abbott said. Bottled water trucks will be developed by local officials at distribution points. Eli Hartman / Odessa American via AP The Texas Environmental Quality Commission is working with local officials to repair the damage and test the water to meet state and federal consumption standards.
