Water quality improving

Austin Water spokesperson Emlea Chanslor said Wednesday that turbidity levels at the city’s three water treatment plants had dropped significantly. Turbidity refers to cloudiness and is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Just before the boil water notice was issued, the turbidity level at the city’s three plants was around 400. On Wednesday night, at the Handcox Plant, known as Water Treatment Plant 4, the number was below 100; at Ulrich, it was around 200; and at Davis, it was around 170. The normal turbidity level is just 5. Clearly the newer plant is doing a better job of clearing the silt in the Colorado River and making the water safe to drink. However, Austin Water wants its customers to know they should continue to conserve and to boil the water coming out of their taps until further notice.