As boil-water notice continues, some Killeen eateries still closed

The following is the city of Killeen's latest news release regarding the citywide boil-water notice: 

"The Public Works Department of the City of Killeen went through a thorough flushing of the water system yesterday and are working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District (WCID) to evaluate and analyze samples amid a city-wide boil water notice that was issued on Oct. 19.

The notice was issued due to quarterly water samples taken from six sites indicating chlorine residuals below TCEQ guidelines. All entities are continuing to run tests on the samples. This boil water notice will not be lifted until levels are stable enough for a sustained period of time, which is a minimum of 24 hours, which will not be today.

TCEQ is bringing a team to Killeen within the next 24 hours to assist on the ground. The City will provide daily updates, as new information becomes available. Please expect another update before end-of-business today.

The City of Killeen is now offering bottled water for those who do not have the ability to boil their own water. Please contact us at (254) 501-6315 for assistance. As of now, the City will not be providing water stations for all citizens, as there is running water in residences and businesses, with no disruption in services. The City is working to isolate this matter, in hopes of lifting the boil water notice in different portions of the city where chlorine levels are proven to be sufficient.

Once the City sees chlorine levels go back to normal, the City will still be required to have external lab testing completed before lifting the boil water notice. This testing process takes a minimum 24 hours to complete.

The City will continue to provide updates, as they become available. We encourage residents to sign up for the City Alerts on our website to stay up to date, as well."

Some local businesses remain closed Thursday citing Killeen’s citywide boil-water notice as the reason for their closure.

Dutch Bros Coffee, 1109 W. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen, typically has a dozen cars waiting for a morning caffeine fix on any given day, but that wasn’t the case Thursday morning.

“Sorry we’re closed due to the boil water notice,” was seen posted on the door of the establishment Thursday morning.

The city of Killeen issued a boil-water notice Tuesday evening citing low chlorine residuals in the city’s water supply as the reason for the notice.

Tap water is safe for hand washing and showering, city officials said, but not for consumption.

Killeen Public Works Director Jeffery Reynolds told the Herald Wednesday city employees are working overtime, flushing pipes, and plan to meet with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officials Thursday to identify and begin to fix the city’s water quality problem. In a news release Thursday morning, city of Killeen said TCEQ officials will not be in Killeen until Friday.

The boil-water notice could last a couple of more days.

“It’s important to us as a city to get it right rather than to get it fast,” Reynolds said. “We know it’s an inconvenience for people, residents, and for businesses out there, but we want to make sure we’re providing a quality water source before we lift this boil water notice.”

Multiple shoppers were seen picking up cases of bottled water Thursday morning at the H-E-B, 1101 W. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen, which did not have product limit signs posted as of Thursday morning.

H-E-B Plus, 2511 Trimmier Road in Killeen, had signs posted Wednesday limiting two cases of bottled water per customer.

Local fast food restaurants and gas stations also had signs posted showing limited menu items, due to the boil-water notice, Thursday morning.