KDHE Home - News 2000 - News Release

Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

September 1, 2000

Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795

KDHE Issues Boil Water Advisory for D and W Water Customers

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the D and W Water Company located in Riley County. KDHE officials issued the advisory because coliform bacteria were found in numerous water samples taken from the public water system on August 29, 2000. The public water system has also been in violation of the drinking water standards and monitoring requirements for coliform bacteria in previous months.

The advisory took effect on August 31, 2000, and will remain in effect until such time as testing of samples indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions which place the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be adequately resolved.

Anyone served by the affected public water system should observe the following precautions:

• Boil water vigorously for one minute prior to use. Use only boiled water for drinking, diluting fruit juices, and all other food preparation.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker. Remake ice cubes with water that has been boiled.
• 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 or using backyard pools so water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

The system and/or KDHE will notify area media when the boil water advisory has been rescinded. For more information, call Mark Davis at (785) 539-0374, or Sharon Watson, KDHE, Topeka at (785) 296-5795 .

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