Boil water notices have been issued for residents of Clear Lake Shores, Kemah, Jamaica Beach, San Leon, the west end of Galveston Island including Jamaica Beach, and the entire Bolivar Peninsula including High Island the Galveston County Health District said Sunday. The notices are a result of the disruption of water service from Hurricane Rita.
Once repairs are complete and water is flowing through the line, the health district's Kurt Koopman said the water should still be considered not safe to drink until laboratory tests confirm its purity. The boil water notices will remain in effect until officials have declared the water safe for use said Koopman.
The health district also offered these suggestions for handling water in those communities with Boil Water notices:
1) If cloudy or muddy, strain it through a clean cloth
2) Bring water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes
An additional method for disinfecting water is as follows:
1) Use 8 drops of plain non-scented chlorine bleach (5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite) per one gallon of water
2) Mix well for one minute
3) Let stand for 30 minutes
Note that a slight taste or smell of chlorine is normal
