Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says residents will have to do without city water for a little while longer.
"The goal is for this boil water notice to be lifted sometime tomorrow morning," Turner told reporters Friday. "That's the goal. And that's what we hope to achieve."
The city is waiting for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to give the go-ahead after Thursday's massive water main break on the east side.
"We have gotten the samples out so we can sit there and get the clearance," says Jeff Weatherford, deputy director of the city's Transportation and Drainage Operations. "Basically we have to try to grow the bacteria in the samples, that's what takes us so long. Based on what we've seen, we expect to have a clean bill of health tomorrow morning."
Health officials urge Houstonians to boil water at least three minutes if you're going to drink or cook with it. It is safe to wash your hands.
Repair work on the 96-inch water main should wrap up this weekend. City officials believe schools and businesses will return to normal Monday.