updated Tuesday, February 23 at 2:20pm
Last week, San Antonio, Bexar County, and the state of Texas faced freezing temperatures and utility outages. We know that this crisis, much like COVID-19, is affecting community members differently due to long-standing inequities. We also know that it requires us to look toward the shared Community Vision—one that asks that “the entire community takes responsibility for our collective well-being.” Let’s continue to take care of ourselves, support one another wherever we can, and honor the individuals and organizations that are going above and beyond.
SAWS Water Updates:
SAWS has officially ended their boil water notice for all of San Antonio and their service areas.
They’ve offered the following tips from the CDC to ensure you can safely use your water after a Boil Water Notice:
- Flush the pipes by running each hot and cold water faucet for two minutes.
- Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances that use tap water (such as ice machine and dishwasher) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
- Take proper steps to flush ice machines by following the manufacturer’s instructions, including at a minimum:
- Throw out any ice remaining in all bins.
- Make one additional batch of ice in each machine, and discard this batch of ice.
- Put in new replaceable filters on refrigerators and other appliances.
- Run drinking fountains continuously for two minutes to flush the system.
Ongoing local support & resources:
- The City of San Antonio launched a one-stop resource in English and Spanish to aid San Antonians in assistance relief. Visit strongertogether.sanantonio.gov for more information.
- The City of San Antonio is offering electricity bill assistance and housing affordability assistance to seniors 60+, families with children, individuals with disabilities, and individuals using critical medical care equipment. To apply online using a smartphone or tablet with a camera, visit sanantonio.gov/DHSutility or call 210-207-7830, Monday-Friday from 7:45am-4:30pm.
- SAWS is offering water bill assistance to current residential account holders that meet income requirements. To apply online, visit saws.org/uplift (you’ll need your SAWS account login information ) or call 210-233-2273.
- Seniors that need help with their devices or want to register for programs, can call the Senior Planet hotline at 210-934-1033.
- The City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the San Antonio Food Bank are distributing bottled water across the city. Limited to one case per household each day. Locations include:
- Wheatley Heights Sports Complex – 200 Noblewood Dr.
- Brooks – Challenger Dr. @ Research Place
- Texas A&M University – San Antonio – Main Campus – One University Way
- Port San Antonio – 205 Billy Mitchell Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78226
- SeaWorld San Antonio/Aquatica – 10500 Sea World Drive
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas – 17000 IH 10 West
- Food Bank – 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy
- Our Lady of the Lake University — 411 SW 24th St
- Community Bible Church – 2477 N Loop 1604 E
- Heroes Stadium – 4799 Thousand Oaks Dr.
- Rolling Oaks Mall — 6909 N Loop 1604 E
- Bullis County Park – 27583 Old Blanco Rd
- Julius Matthey Middle School – 20350 Red Forest Ln
Want to Help?
- Blood donors are urgently needed.
- Volunteers are needed over the next two weeks to help at the City of San Antonio & Bexar County bottled water distribution sites at 13 locations.
- Travis Park Church needs volunteers for their Winter Shelter.
- Spread the word and share resources from the City of San Antonio, including these from the Department of Human Services that include additional warming centers and shelters.
- Christian Assistance Ministry needs to replenish their food supply, as they are supporting homeless San Antonians and other shelters. Make a donation.
- The San Antonio Food Bank will need extra help with food distributions in the coming week. Sign up to volunteer.
Know of more resources & support? Share your stories and links on SA2020’s Facebook or tag @SA2020 on Twitter.
