Effective March 6, 2026, the boil advisory for the City of Sulphur has been rescinded.
Original:
Sulphur, Louisiana - The City of Sulphur has issued a citywide boil water advisory after a water main break caused pressure in the system to drop below required levels inside the city limits.
According to the city, the advisory applies to all customers located within the City of Sulphur limits. The cautionary notice will remain in effect until laboratory testing confirms that the public water supply is safe to drink without boiling.
Officials did not provide a detailed timeline, but stated that the advisory will be lifted only after clear samples are received from the state laboratory.
Who Is Affected
The advisory covers all areas inside the City of Sulphur city limits. Residents and businesses connected to the city’s water system are being asked to take precautions before drinking or using tap water for certain purposes.
The city notes that if customers were completely without water during the incident, they should run their faucets until the water runs clear before beginning to boil it for consumption.
How To Safely Use Tap Water
City officials are instructing residents to boil water before using it for:
- Drinking
- Cooking and food preparation
- Making ice
- Brushing teeth
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Preparing baby formula or mixing powdered drinks
To properly disinfect the water, the city is advising residents to:
- Use a clean container.
- Bring tap water to a rolling boil, where large bubbles are constantly breaking the surface.
- Once the water is at a rolling boil, continue boiling it for one full minute.
- Allow the water to cool before use, keeping it covered and stored in a clean container.
The one-minute count begins only after the water reaches a full rolling boil.
Improving The Taste Of Boiled Water
Boiled water can sometimes develop a flat taste. The city suggests several simple ways to improve the flavor:
- Shake the cooled, boiled water in a clean bottle to add air back into it.
- Pour the water back and forth between two clean containers.
- Add a small pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water.
These methods do not replace the need for boiling, but they can make the water more pleasant to drink once it has been properly disinfected.
Why A Boil Water Advisory Was Issued
When water pressure in a municipal system drops below required levels, there is a chance that contaminants can enter the pipes through leaks or breaks. Even if no contamination is confirmed, public water systems commonly issue boil water advisories out of caution to protect public health.
A water main break can cause this type of pressure loss.
When The Advisory Will Be Lifted
The City of Sulphur reports that it will notify affected areas once clear samples are received from the state laboratory. This typically involves laboratory testing for the presence of harmful bacteria and other indicators of water quality.
Until that official notice is issued, residents are advised to continue boiling tap water before consuming it in any way.
City officials have not provided a specific end date for the advisory. The duration will depend on testing and confirmation from state authorities.
What Residents Should Do Now
Until the advisory is lifted, residents and businesses inside the City of Sulphur limits should:
- Boil all tap water used for drinking, cooking, and food preparation for one full minute after it reaches a rolling boil.
- Run faucets until water is clear if they experienced a complete loss of water, then begin boiling.
- Use boiled or bottled water for brushing teeth and preparing infant formula.
- Follow updates from the City of Sulphur for official notice when the advisory is ended.
The city will issue a public update once state lab tests confirm that the water meets all safety standards.