A line of cars stretched a mile outside Lone Star Park Wednesday to pick up free cases of water, with a limit of one per car.

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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—SEPTEMBER 4, 2024—A foaming agent used to fight fires contaminated Grand Prairie, Texas’s water supply, prompting an urgent alert to avoid tap water. Thousands of residents scrambled for bottled water and answers.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, city officials said they do not know how long the advisory will remain in place and are waiting for clearance from the state’s environmental regulators. Mayor Ron Jensen encouraged residents to exercise caution but not panic.

Lone Star Park emailed horsemen and women today: "Please stop all water usage other than flushing toilets. The City of Grand Prairie continues to provide guidance at this time."

Since the racetrack has arranged for the city to truck in water for the horses to drink, it will offer light training tomorrow (Thursday, September 5).

"Unfortunately, trainers and grooms still cannot hose your horses off, though," the racetrack says.

Trainers and backside employees are urged to continue listening for PA announcements when the water trucks arrive.

"We hope they will arrive three times tomorrow: first thing in the morning, then again in the middle of the day, and then late afternoon," a track official said.

The City provided bottled water distribution stations for all Grand Prairie residents. One of the distribution sites is at Lone Star Park. Please visit gptx.org for specific locations. For questions regarding this matter, please contact 972-237-8400.

Earlier Wednesday, a line of cars stretched a mile outside Lone Star Park as residents waited for free cases of water, a limit of one per car. An employee said a nearby Cost Plus store sold several hundred cases by early afternoon.

The contamination affected an estimated 60,000 Grand Prairie residents who live north of Interstate 20. City officials told those residents to avoid drinking the water and bathing, cooking, brushing their teeth, and washing dishes and clothes in tap water. The water is also unsafe for animals.

The city warned on social media, "Do not try to treat the water yourself," explaining that boiling water would not help.

City officials began receiving reports of foamy tap water late Tuesday afternoon. They worked with state environmental officials to pinpoint the source: a foam used to extinguish a fire earlier in the day at an industrial warehouse.

For more information, please visit the horsemen's information section of our website, www.lonestarpark.com, and let track officials know if you have any questions. They can be contacted by email at racing@lonestarpark.com or by phone at (972) 237-1130 or (888) 4-RACING.