Nov 08, 2022

Boil order issued for small Rush County community

Posted Nov 08, 2022 3:47 PM

KDHE

 TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Alexander public water supply system located in western Rush County.  

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: 

  1. Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water. 
  2. Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker. 
  3. If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears. 
  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 

The advisory took effect Tuesday and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because 

the city cannot currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.  

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory. 

For consumer questions, contact the water system at 785-343-2394, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:  kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption