Boil advisory extended: Water pressure problems continue in southwest Columbia
by Amanda Lundgren, originally posted on June 17, 2016
COLUMBIA — The precautionary boil advisory issued to the Thornbrook and Steeplechase subdivisions earlier this week has been extended through Monday.
City officials suspect that simultaneous use of automated home irrigation systems continue to be the cause. No problems have been found in the water distribution system, according to a Columbia Water and Light news release.
Water and Light has urged residents in the Bradbury Estates, Creek’s Edge, Thornbrook, Steeplechase and Wyndham Ridge subdivisions to follow a voluntary irrigation schedule in order to stagger water usage. The boil advisory will be lifted when there is no longer a substantial drop in water pressure. The pressure must remain above 20 pounds per square inch in order to avoid another advisory.
According to previous Missourian reporting, there is no shortage of water in the area. The problem is that many irrigation systems are turning on at the same time, which places a large demand on the water system and lowers the water pressure.
This isn’t the first time Thornbrook has experienced water issues. In 2008 and 2010, multiple boil advisories were issued for the subdivision in response to water main breaks, according to previous Missourian reporting. In the most recent case, however, there were no water main breaks.
If residents do not start evenly spreading out water usage, Columbia Water and Light will consider assigning a mandatory irrigation schedule for residents until water pressure stabilizes.
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