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NATCHEZ—Natchez Water Works has yet to hear back from its water samples submitted to the state health department after it issued a voluntary and precautionary boil water notice on Monday morning.

Jeff Gamberi, water superintendent, said it will likely be Thursday before test results are in.

“We haven’t heard back yet. Our water plant manager is saying it will more than likely be first thing in the morning due to the fact that samples had to be taken from all over the city and then driven to the sample site out of town,” Gamberi said.

He also said Natchez Water Works is working to initiate a better system for notifying customers about issues like boil water notices using the office’s current billing system.

“It is in place, but the system is new and we haven’t received training with that function yet,” Gamberi said. “I’m hopeful this will be up and running at the end of the week. This will offer another way for customers to get notified. Email and phone will work via the system.”

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, aldermen suggested that Natchez Water Works implement a way to send text message alerts to customers.

“Text messaging is also available to our customers, but they will have to opt in for that option due to laws,” Gamberi said.