KDHE issues Boil Water Advisory for the City of Valley Falls

VALLEY FALLS, Kan. (WIBW) — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a Boil Water Advisory for Valley Falls in Jefferson County on Saturday.

The advisory was issued for the city’s public water supply system. Officials say the City experienced a water main break on the transmission line supplying water to the city’s water tower.

That break resulted in a loss of water pressure throughout the community. In addition, KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure could result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

City crews located the break at the Water Treatment Plant. As of 1:30 p.m., City officials reported that the water main break has been repaired.

Crews are now working to refill the Hurst Water Tower. The City says water service should begin returning to homes and businesses soon.

However, the advisory will remain in effect until laboratory testing confirms the water is safe and KDHE authorizes its lifting.

KDHE says residents should take the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic 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 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 so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

Bacteriological samples will be collected and submitted to KDHE.

Consumer questions can be referred to the water system at 785-945-6612, or call KDHE at 785-296-5514. Visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service for consumer information.

Food establishments can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.govor call 785-564-6767 for questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business.