Nikole Babb, nbabb@cherryroad.com
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, (KDHE), has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Towanda’s public water supply system this evening.
The advisory was issued on October 8 and will remain in place until further testing is done to verify the water is clear from contaminations. A waterline break at N 5th and High Streets resulted in a loss of pressure in the distribution system, causing KDHE officials to issue the advisory. Failure to maintain proper pressure could result in a loss of chlorine residuals and cause bacterial contamination.
The KDHE advises customers of the City of Towanda to take these precautions until the advisory is lifted:
-Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water. This includes pet consumption as well.
-Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
-If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
-Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
-Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
KDHE officials want to remind customers that only KDHE can rescind a boil advisory following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 316-536-2243, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the boil water advisory and the impacts on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.
