San Marcos Joins Local Municipalities In Issuing Boil Water Advisory

Effective February 17, 2021, the City of San Marcos is issuing a boil water advisory for all City of San Marcos water customers due to water pressure dropping within the distribution system.

It is also critical that residents conserve electricity as San Marcos Electric Utility works to restore power to those affected by local outages across the City, according to officials.

With low water pressures being a result of power interruptions caused by the current weather crisis, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is requiring the City to issue a boil water advisory until normal pressures resume and water quality laboratory results show no contamination.  

“This is only a precautionary measure and does not mean that your water is contaminated, only that there is a possibility of contamination,” the city said. “We understand that boiling water may be difficult, if not impossible, for many at this time but this is a regulatory TCEQ requirement.”

Water samples will be taken after the pressures return to normal and satisfactory water quality test results should be available by Tuesday, Feb. 23.  

Notice will be provided to water customers across all social media platforms when the boil water advisory has been rescinded.  

Until that time, residents may want to boil water prior to consumption or use bottled water; however, the possibility of contamination is very low.  The City is working to restore water service to full operation as quickly as possible. Residents may read the full advisory here: www.sanmarcostx.gov/boiladvisory.

Electric Conservation is Critical

For the many residents who have been without power for a majority of the time since early Monday morning, there are some critical steps that need to be taken to help restore power to a home.  

The amount of electricity turned on or plugged into outlets at a residence needs to be as low as possible in anticipation of utility crews making needed repairs to reenergize a residence. 

Take these steps while your power is still off:

• Turn off all lights and fans
• Unplug all appliances, especially large appliances like washer, dryers, televisions, and refrigerators if possible
• Turn off the heating system

If each home or business follows these steps, this will greatly reduce the electric load in the area and increase the chance that the electricity will stay on at an address once the localized issue has been repaired.  

Please remember that even when power is restored, everyone will still experience the rolling outages mandated by the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) that began very early Monday morning, February 15. These mandated rolling outages are expected to last for a few more days.  

Remember Carbon Monoxide Dangers

As residents look for ways to stay warm during extended power outages, please keep safety precautions in mind to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide exposure:

• Never use generators, grills, or devices that burn gasoline, propane, or charcoals inside your home
• Never sit in a running car inside a garage or carport
• Make sure fireplaces and wood stoves are properly ventilated

As City crews, emergency responders, and support personnel continue to work around the clock to serve our community, restore power, and make repairs to increase water pressure across San Marcos, we thank the community for their support and patience.  

To report a power outage email poweroutinfo@sanmarcostx.gov or call 512.393.8313 and to report a water outage email waterwastewaterinfo@sanmarcostx.gov or call 512.393.8010. To speak to a winter weather call center please call 512.754.2291.