As North Texas begins to thaw out, many families who were left in the dark, are now dealing with another issue — finding safe water.
In west Fort Worth, a city official said the boil water notice could be lifted Sunday. And in Garland, staff from around the city passed out water to anyone who showed up Saturday.
Other boil orders for North Fort Worth and Arlington already have been rescinded after tests showed no harmful bacteria in the water supply.
Meanwhile, city workers continued passing out bottled water at a number of locations, including the parking lot at Western Hills High School.
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Click here for the latest city information on the boil water order and locations where bottled water is being distributed.
Alberto Moreno, 19, said he and his family of six had power, but no running water.
“It’s been a struggle really,” he said. "We got buckets from other houses around the area, like our neighbors, just to flush the toilet at least."
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Andrew Graham said he and his family have running water. They just can't drink it.
"You know this whole boil thing sucks, especially when you've got four kids and three dogs and two adults in a house,” Graham said. “It's not fun."
City code compliance officers teamed up with city attorneys to get the water passed out.
Meanwhile, city water crews continue working 12-hour shifts, racing to repair broken underground water lines – more than 400 of them since Sunday, water department spokeswoman Mary Gugliuzza said.
At the Garland Central Library, it was all hands on deck Saturday.
“We’ve given out over 3,200 bottles of water already, and what is it, 11 o’clock?” said Katie Mills, manager of the Walnut Creek Branch Library. "They can at least have something to drink, maybe something to cook with."
Joy Chebet of Garland said it had been hard to do basic things like shower and clean.
“We haven’t washed dishes. It’s still full in the sink. We don’t know what to do,” Chebet said.
The handful of bottles she received won’t last long.
“We’re going to keep looking for water to help us this weekend," Chebet said. "We’re hoping to get water back by Monday."
For families dealing with boil notices or lack of running water from burst pipes, water is a lifeline.
“One lady showed up with newborn twins, and she thanked us and said she has nothing," Mills said. "It means a lot to people."
Water distribution sites are set up across Texas. Find find free water, visit the site below.
To donate water in Garland, visit Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery at 509 W. State St or Rosalind Coffee at 107 N. Sixth St.
