grand prairie water supply Residents of Grand Prairie, Texas, are facing a significant disruption after a foaming agent contaminated the city’s water supply. The contamination, which has led to widespread facility closures and a precautionary shutdown of city water use, was traced back to a fire response that occurred Tuesday night.
What Happened?
On Tuesday evening, the city discovered the presence of a foaming agent in the water supply. According to Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen, the foam entered the water system following a major fire that was extinguished using this chemical agent. The contamination occurred through a backflow event, which inadvertently introduced the foaming agent into the city’s water supply.
Jensen reassured residents that while the water is “slightly toxic,” there is no immediate cause for alarm. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has been working with the city to monitor the situation and ensure safety.
Current Water Advisory
In response to the contamination, the city has issued an advisory for all residents north of Interstate 20 to avoid using tap water for anything other than flushing toilets. This precautionary measure remains in effect until further notice. Residents are advised against boiling, freezing, filtering, or treating the water, as these methods will not make it safe.
Key Advisories:
- Do Not Use Tap Water For:
- Drinking
- Cooking
- Brushing teeth
- Making beverages or ice
- Providing water to pets
- Dishwashing
The city has set up bottled water distribution points, with Lone Star Park serving as one of the main locations. The distribution will continue as long as supplies last.
Facility Closures
Due to the water contamination, all Grand Prairie ISD schools, including those outside the immediate affected area, are closed on Wednesday. This closure is a precautionary measure, with a return to the normal schedule expected on Thursday. Additionally, several city-operated facilities are closed, including:
- Kirby Creek Natatorium
- Prairie Lakes Golf Course (including Crown’s)
- Ruthe Jackson Center
- Dalworth Recreation Center
- Charley Taylor Recreation Center
- Veterans Event Center
- Park restrooms and water fountains in the affected area
Next Steps
The city is working diligently to address the issue, with hopes of issuing a boil water notice by Wednesday evening. For now, residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and use the bottled water distribution stations listed on the city’s website.
For more details or to address any concerns, residents can contact the city at 972-237-8400 or visit gptx.org for additional updates and distribution station locations.
Final Thoughts
This incident underscores the importance of maintaining robust safety protocols during emergency responses and ensuring that such chemicals do not inadvertently contaminate critical resources like drinking water. The city of Grand Prairie is working to resolve the issue promptly and will continue to keep residents updated as the situation develops.
Keywords: Grand Prairie water contamination, foaming agent, water advisory, facility closures, bottled water distribution, TCEQ, Grand Prairie ISD closure
