Bucyrus officials to take steps in providing better notice to public.
Bucyrus city administrators are taking steps to ensure mass public notification of hazards is possible after a citywide boil advisory was issued Sept. 5.
Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser said Crawford County residents soon will be able to sign up for the Crawford County Public Notification System with the option to sign up for Bucyrus city notifications.
City administration and water department employees have two upcoming scheduled meetings with the Crawford County Emergency Management Agency on the implementation of the system.
The measures are being taking after many local residents claimed the notice of a citywide boil advisory was not timely or efficient.
A release from the city said a drop in pressure was recorded at 4:45 p.m. and Bucyrus city employees contacted the EPA at 6:15 p.m. for advice and protocol on issuing a precautionary boil advisory.
The EPA responded to the city at 7:45 p.m. and an advisory was released at 7:51 p.m. Officials said the delay in contacting the EPA was caused by the need to identify if water pressure dropped below 20 pounds-per-square-inch.
Reser said the likelihood of the event occurring as it did was extremely unlikely.
“And not one of us can ever recall a citywide boil advisory, if that says how likely it is, but we need to be prepared for anything no matter how unlikely it may be.” Reser said he hopes everyone takes advantage of the system when it becomes an option, so direct communication between city officials and the public may be made.
@JamesMassaraCCN