HUMBOLDT Contaminated water spilled from the scene of an early morning fire Wednesday at Mid-West Fertilizer in Iola has prompted Humboldt to suspend operations at the citys water plant.
The city remained at risk of losing its water service altogether, once its water towers are emptied.
As of Friday morning, the city still had water in its towers, but theyre getting pretty low, City Administrator Cole Herder.
Crews from the Kansas Department of Environment were awaiting test results to determine whether the contaminated water has cleared. Those results were not announced before the Register went to press.
Without resuming water plant operations, Herder expected the towers to be emptied by the end of Friday.
Without water, city officials likely would order immediate evacuation at senior housing facilities.
Residents, too, would have to go elsewhere for such basic amenities as using the restroom or cooking food.
Herder said Humboldt had been in touch with Iol and Chanute to provide such things as fire protection during the shutdown.
HUMBOLDT city officials announced shortly before noon Thursday they were shutting down the plant because of possible contamination in the Neosho, and relying on water stored in its water towers.
Residents are asked to limit water consumption, and avoid such things as doing laundry, washing dishes, washing cars or watering houseplants until the water supply can be restored.
The City is advising residents to limit water usage to drinking and sanitary purposes.
IOLA firefighters worked feverishly with Iola farmer Doug Strickler to contain the water runoff incurred while they battled the blaze, but it was not enough to keep the water from reaching the river.
The water likely reached the river south of Iolas intake location, meaning water service is unaffected for customers in Iola and Gas.
The shutdown affects the City of Humboldt as well as Rural Water Districts No. 9 and 10.
