Boil water order issued for over 2 million in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — More than 2 million people in the Houston area were on boil water advisories Monday after a power outage caused low pressure at a water purification plant, officials said. officials said.

The order – which means water must be boiled before it is used for cooking, bathing or drinking – also prompted Houston-area schools to close on Monday. It was released on Sunday after a power outage at a sewage treatment plant, the city’s public works department said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said on Twitter that the city believes the water is safe, but a boil order is needed due to falling water pressure. He said water sampling would begin Monday morning and the boil order could be lifted 24 hours after the city is notified the water is safe.