Austin city leaders held a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to clear up confusion concerning the duration of the boil water notice that was issued early Monday morning.
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said: "We are talking days, and not weeks."
Earlier Tuesday, a Travis County official said the boil water notice could be in effect for between 10 and 14 days. Austin Mayor Steve Adler during the press conference said what was discussed was a two-week planning period rather than a two-week boil water event.
Adler added that there is no water shortage; rather, there is limited space to hold water "in the stores." Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said water demand is down, which is a positive sign as it relates to the boil water notice.
Regarding the notice, Cronk said the decision to issue a boil water notice was a cautionary move.
Cronk and Adler urged Austin residents to continue conserving water by taking short showers and ceasing to use water outdoors.
Workers need to stabilize the water treatment system before the notice is lifted. Austin Water customers are urged to boil their water for three minutes before consumption.
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