In an effort to extend the availability of water supplies and aid in ongoing recovery efforts following the impact of Helene, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced a mandatory water conservation order for parts or all of nine counties in Upper East Tennessee.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with our fellow Tennesseans dealing with the severity of damage caused by the storm,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “In this critical time of limited resources, clean water is essential for recovery, and we call upon all citizens in these affected areas to conserve as much water as possible.”
The conservation order applies to the following counties in their entirety: Sullivan, Carter, Johnson, Greene, Unicoi, and Washington. Parts of Cocke (Newport Utilities), Sevier (Webb Utility District), and Jefferson (Dandridge) counties are also affected.
TDEC has urged residents in these areas to limit water use to essential purposes only. Non-essential uses, such as clothes washing, running dishwashers, landscaping irrigation, and washing cars, should be avoided to help preserve the available water supply. Several local water utilities have been disrupted, making water conservation vital to ensure available supplies last as long as possible.
Additionally, a Boil Water Advisory has been issued for customers of 16 local utilities. Residents receiving water from these utilities should boil all tap water for at least three minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice. After boiling, the water should be allowed to cool to a safe temperature before use.
Boil Water Advisories are in effect for the following utilities:
- Chuckey Utility District
- Cross Anchor Utility District
- Dandridge Water Department
- Elizabethton Water Department
- Erwin Utilities Authority
- First Utility District of Carter County
- Glen Hills Utility District
- Greeneville Water and Light Commission
- Hampton Utility District
- Jonesborough Water Department
- Mosheim Utility District
- Mountain City Water Department
- Newport Utilities Board
- South Elizabethton Utility District
- Webb Creek Utility District
- Unicoi Utility District
Additionally, a Boil Water Advisory is pending for North Greene Utilities and will be issued once water service is restored.
How to Boil Water to Make It Safe for Drinking:
- Fill a pot with water.
- Heat the water until bubbles rise from the bottom to the top.
- Let the water boil for at least three minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the water to cool.
- Pour the cooled water into a clean container with a cover for storage.
Boiling water helps kill bacteria and other harmful organisms, making it safe to drink or use in food preparation. For more updates, including an online dashboard showing impacted water systems, visit TDEC’s webpage at: TDEC Dashboard.
