MLGW expects boil water advisory to end tomorrow
A precautionary boil water advisory affecting about 1,000 customers in parts of northern Shelby County is expected to be lifted by Wednesday afternoon.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water must institute a precautionary boil advisory when water pressure falls below 20 pounds per square inch (psi), according to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation guidelines. The system’s water pressure dropped after Sunday’s super cell storms knocked out electricity at pumping stations that help maintain the system’s water pressure.
An oak tree fell on a home in the Cordova area during Sunday night’s storms, during which wind gusted to more than 75 miles per hour. Residents said the tree was more than 200 years old. (Courtesy Michael Norris)
MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said Tuesday that power has been restored to the pumping stations and water pressure is continuing to build.
“You can reasonably expect that by tomorrow afternoon, we will lift that boil water advisory,” McGowen said.
The power outages initially affected more than 122,000 people — about a quarter of MLGW customers. By Tuesday afternoon, about 50,000 customers were still without power, and McGowen said they could be without power for a few more days, as triple-digit temperatures bear down on Memphis.
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MLGW boil water advisory power outagesKeely Brewer
Keely Brewer is a Report for America corps member covering environmental impacts on communities of color in Memphis. She is working in partnership with the Ag & Water Desk, a sustainable reporting network aimed at telling water and agriculture stories across the Mississippi River Basin.
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