Boil Water Advisory Issued for Jefferson County RWD #14

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for Jefferson County Rural Water District (RWD) #14, a water system of approximately 60 population, located in southwest Jefferson County along the southwest shoreline of Perry Lake.

KDHE officials issued the advisory due to maintenance resulting in an interruption in water service. With little or no water pressure in the distribution system, it is possible for contamination to occur. Any time water pressure is lost in a system, this allows the potential for bacteria to enter.

Once water pressure is restored, residents should boil their water until further notice. Anyone served by the affected public water system should observe the following precautions:

• Boil water vigorously for one minute prior to use. Boiling longer than three minutes may adversely affect the quality and taste of the water.
• 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 advisory will remain in effect until testing of water samples indicates no evidence of contamination and all other conditions which place the systems at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  KDHE will notify media when the boil water advisory has been rescinded.