Germantown Water Crisis - Resources & Info

Lauren Waites July 25, 2023

Below are helpful resources for those of us affected by the Germantown water situation. If there's something you think I should add, please let me know. The quickest way to reach me is to call or text 901.647.4302. The businesses below are not endorsed by me but were recommended by fellow Germantown residents.

Latest News & Recommendations:

These will be continually updated as the situation progresses:

As of 9am on Tuesday, July 25; info provided by the City of Germantown Facebook page:

The order to use water only for flushing toilets remains in place for a majority of residents, except for those east of Forest Hill Irene Road. An interactive map, identifying the specific area that is allowed to resume water consumption in blue, is available at Germantown-TN.gov/WaterRestorationMap. For additional information on how to flush interior service lines, see instructions below.

Instructions for water customers EAST of Forest Hill-Irene Road:

Customers in the area east of Forest Hill-Irene Road must flush interior service lines to remove water that has been standing in interior pipes. Those in this area who have not detected the smell of diesel in their home may simply open all faucets, hot and cold, and allow them to run for five minutes. After this flushing of water service lines is complete, customers may resume their normal water consumption.

Those who have detected odor from the water in their home should follow the more extensive process that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided below:

Step 1: Open a couple of cold water taps and run for 15 minutes to clear the customer service line from main. Step 2: Open each cold tap one at a time and run that for 5 min to clean that specific line. Begin nearest to where water enters the building and move toward the farthest tap. Repeat for the rest of the cold taps. Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 by running hot water through the taps. Step 4: Any dishes or clothing washed while the restriction was in place should be rewashed. Step 5: Water-using devices may require additional cleaning steps in addition to flushing (e.g., discarding ice). Consult the device manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

If residual odor is detected in the water after this more extensive flushing process is complete, customers should contact customer service at [email protected] or (901) 757-7200.

While the entire Germantown water system is fed by both the Southern Avenue and Johnson Road water treatment plants, the decision to partially lift the restriction was based on the knowledge of how water flows through the system and the absence of odor reports taken in the area.

Where to Get Clean Water:

Bottled water (one case per car) will be available at Forest Hill Elementary, 3368 Forest Hill Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. Residents can bring their own containers and fill with an unlimited supply of water at Bailey Station Elementary, 3435 Bailey Station Road, Collierville, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Private sources:

- Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest, is providing drinking Water and Ice, Monday through Friday (July 24-28) from noon to 2 pm and 5 to 7 pm. Please bring your own coolers and containers. Park in the big lot to the east and use the entrance circled in red.

Laundromats:

Please note, this information was pulled from the Germantown Facebook groups & verified on google, but it may be best to call & confirm business hours and whether it's coin-only.

The Wash'n Place, 89 W St #72 (at Center St), 901-619-7772, Open Mon-Fri 7am to 8pm & weekends 6am to 8pm
Yorkshire Launderette, 1574 S White Station (at Quince), open Mon-Sun 7am to 8pm, 901-767-2485
Ellie's Laundry, multiple locations:
- 664 Waring Road (at Summer), 901-567-5450 & 901-468-4108
- 215 S. Pauline Street, Ste 104, Memphis, TN 38104, 901-633-0820
- 4430 Winchester Road Memphis, TN 38118, 901-472-7786
Day & Night Coin-Op Laundry, 4302 Winchester Road (near Goodlett), 901-203-5673, Open Mon-Sun 7am to 11pm

Places to Shower:

Peach Tree UMC, 9315 E Shelby Drive in Collierville, 901-286-5532 (call or text), showers available 9:30am to 4pm and water, coffee and wifi available as well
Silver Bull Fitness is allowing community members to shower in their gym this week from 4pm to 8pm; bring your own shampoo & soap, 3285 Hacks Cross Ste 106
Nicole Lagasca Inman, a stylist at Salon nine one in Collierville, is offering free shampoos to Germantown residents. Contact her via Facebook to coordinate.
Planet Fitness is allowing members to shower at other locations even if they don't have a Black Membership

Local Restaurants Operating with a Full or Limited Menu:

I will add to this list as info is provided. Please remember there are many more locally-owned restaurants that CANNOT operate safely during this time. Please consider buying gift cards now and supporting them once this is resolved.