The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a boil water advisory for Lake Travis Middle School, which won't allow students and staff to use running water on the school's campus Tuesday.
School officials sent a letter home to parents explaining that students and staff won't be allowed to drink from water fountains, use ice makers, filtered water dispensers, sinks etc. All of the fountains and sinks will have signs on them that read, "out of order."
Officials advised that students should start their day at home with a full bottle of water before coming to school. At the campus, staff will provide bottled water for students in each house in between classes.
The boil water notice also impacts the students' ability to wash their hands in the restroom sinks and showering in locker rooms. Instead, Lake Travis ISD said they will place hand sanitizer outside of each restroom, and coaches have been advised to alter their workout plans.
At lunch, cafeteria workers will cook with bottled water and more bottled water will be available for students to pick up.
School officials are expected to make a morning announcement, explaining the water situation to the kids. School officials said water system officials will notify them when it is no longer necessary to boil water.
A spokesperson for Lake Travis ISD issued the following statement on why classes weren't canceled:
“We have enough bottled water for students and the restrooms are functioning (toilets and urinals are flushing) so district and school administration (decided) we could have school with minimal disruption.”
They said a pipe was ruptured Monday on a construction project near the school on a construction project unaffiliated with Lake Travis ISD. The pipe was repaired, but TCEQ protocol requires the water to be tested as a precaution.
The boil water notice will remain in effect through Wednesday.
This story will update.