​Austin Water: 'We Do Not Have A Timeline' On Service Restoration

AUSTIN, TX — As frigid winter weather continued on throughout the day on Thursday, Austin Water said it did not know when it would be able to provide water to the entire city.

In a string of social media posts, Austin Water said it is facing "significant challenges" in restoring water service.

"We know that some customers do not have water service and returning your service is our priority," Austin Water wrote on social media. "Austin Water will provide additional updates as they become available."

The utility provider said it is working alongside the city's emergency operations center to address the needs of critical city services, including hospitals and power plants.

As it stands, the city's water treatment plants are functional and stable. Still, the boil water notice issued late Wednesday after a malfunction at the Ulrich Water Treatment Plant brought water pressure below minimum standards remains in effect.

Residents are asked to boil any tap water they plan to drink, cook or make ice with. According to the notice, water should be kept at a vigorous rolling boil for two minutes before drinking.

The city said it will issue another notice when municipal water is again safe to drink.

Read More About Austin's Winter Weather Crisis:

• Water Main Breaks In Downtown Austin: Police
• Austin Weather Latest: Snow, Ice Continue Thursday; Roads Closed

Austin Water said water usage across the city has surpassed typical usage by 250 percent because of dripping faucets and line breaks.

Crews responded early Thursday to a downtown water main break that affected several blocks of roadway.

The break happened on Lavaca Street between 8th and 15th Streets, Austin police said on social media. Drivers were encouraged to avoid the area.

KXAN reported that as of around 8 a.m. on Thursday, repair crews were still working to locate the leak. Water was seen coming out of the street, freezing and cracking the asphalt, according to the report.

Residents with water service are asked to help with conversion by avoiding using large appliances, limiting dripping faucets and turning water off at the cut-off valve in the event of a burst pipe.

Both water service and wastewater service — including leaking or broken water mains — can be reported online.

Snow and ice will continue throughout the day on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing until some time on Friday, when they will climb as high as 39 degrees. The Austin area could see temperatures as high as 70 degrees by Wednesday.