A boil order has been issued for water customers in the Allen County Rural Water District (RWD) 15.
The order was issued Tuesday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The water district includes areas west of 1400 Street, or Old 169, north of Kansas Avenue. Included are homes along Dodge Drive, Holiday Court, Holiday Lane and Osage Drive.
According to Allen County RWD 15 Board Chairman Tim Osborn, the board of directors were initially notified of a loss of water late last week. “On Monday, they went to check meters,” he noted.
Customers should boil water for at least one minute prior to drinking or food preparation.
Customers should observe the prior precautions:
— Ice cubes should be disposed of, particularly those from a household automated 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 bleach per gallon of water.
A waterline break resulting in a possible loss of pressure in the distribution prompted the boil order.
According to Allen County RWD 15 Board Chairman Tim Osborn, the board of directors were made aware that the line had been losing water.
“We have a lot of older lines out here,” he said, adding that the last cold spell may have caused the leak. Once the leak was found, the water to the line was shut off for repairs.
“The state says if you shut the water off, you lose pressure,” Osborn explained. “We have to have it tested twice before the order is lifted.”
Failure to maintain adequate pressure can result in a loss of chlorine residual, making the water susceptible to bacterial contamination.
The order will be lifted once KDHE issues a rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
