Grand Prairie warns some residents to not drink city’s water after foaming agent detected

Grand Prairie warned residents north of Interstate 20 to avoid using the city’s water for uses other than flushing due to the presence of a foaming agent in the water.
A foaming agent was detected in the city’s water supply and crews are investigating the issue and working to isolate the affected area, according to a post made on the city’s Facebook page shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday. The city advised residents who live north of I-20 to avoid using water for uses other than flushing.
Supplies of bottled water were distributed in front of City Hall, 300 W. Main Street on Wednesday morning, but the city is now directing people to Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway, until supplies last.
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Distributors have run out of bottled water at Lone Star Park as dozens of cars lined up waiting for a resupply, according to reports from The Dallas Morning News.
Residents should call 972-237-8400 or visit the city’s website, gptx.org, for updates and questions.
The city did not specify the type of foam found in the water.
“Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Grand Prairie to notify its customers not to use tap water for consumption,” a Wednesday morning advisory on the city’s website said.
The city told community members that the water should not be consumed or ingested in any way, specifying examples such as not using the water to drink, cook, brush teeth, make beverages or ice, to wash dishes. It also shouldn’t be given to pets or animals to drink.
The update warned residents not to attempt to treat the water.
“Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe,” the advisory said.
Grand Prairie ISD announced on social media that campuses would be closed Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution” because of the water issue.
“All morning extracurricular activities are canceled as well,” the district said in post on Facebook. “We will resume our regular schedule on Thursday.”
The city announced that multiple other facilities would be closed Wednesday morning, including Kirby Creek Natatorium, Prairie Lakes Golf Course (including Crown’s), Ruthe Jackson Center, Dalworth Recreation Center, Charley Taylor Recreation Center, Veterans Event Center, park restrooms and water fountains in the affected area.
Some Grand Prairie restaurants closed Wednesday as a result of the notice. Good Day Cafe, just north of I-20, said on Facebook it would close “as a precautionary action and because it is the right thing to do,” until the issue is resolved.
Others, including fast food restaurants, remained open early Wednesday morning but were not serving fountain drinks.
According to KnowYouH20.com, foaming agents can cause water to have a bitter and oily taste and can also cause water to have an odor and appear cloudy. High dosages can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested.