Boil water advisory issued for some Kalamazoo residents
originally posted on January 25, 2017
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Some Kalamazoo residents are being asked to boil their water as a precaution.
The precautionary boil water advisory affects all of Homecrest Avenue west of Portage Street. The affected area includes the Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. Norton Drive is not affected.
Officials stress that the advisory is precautionary only as there have been no confirmed tests showing bacteria present in the water after a loss of pressure in the water main.
Officials expect the advisory to be lifted within 72 hours.
Residents are asked to boil tap water for two minutes prior to drinking it. No special measures are needed for water used for personal hygiene.
Boil advisory posted after sinkhole swallows yards in Cheltenham neighborhood
originally posted on January 25, 2017
A drinking water advisory is in effect for residents in a Cheltenham Township neighborhood where a massive sinkhole swallowed parts of two residential yards.
Officials say the hole, which appears to be about 20 feet deep, opened up about 4 a.m. Wednesday along Brooke Road in the Northwoods neighborhood. Aqua Pennsylvania was working to fill the chasm during the day.
A tree could be seen teetering into the hole, but it also appeared to be keeping the pickup from rolling into the crater. The hole also swallowed part of the sidewalk and the edge of the street nearest the two homes whose yards are affected.
Authorities say nobody’s been hurt and there was no obvious, immediate cause for the sinkhole to develop.
The family in one of the homes was evacuated; the other home was vacant, officials said.
Brooke Road is closed between Argyle Road and Chelfield Road until further notice.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Residents seeking Red Cross assistance may contact the Cheltenham Township Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, 267-901-4043.
- Aqua PA: 877-987-2782
- PECO: 215-841-5555
Aqua expects to lift the boil water advisory on January 28, township officials said, but residents should continue boiling their water until Aqua announces the boil water advisory has been lifted.
Township workers used a video camera to inspect the main sanitary sewer line between Limekiln Pike and Chelfield Road and found no sign of damage.
Northwoods is a residential neighborhood of detached, single family homes built around 1939. Most of the neighborhood lies in Cheltenham Township, with its western end in Springfield Township. It abuts the North Hills train station on SEPTA Regional Rail’s Doylestown line.
In the past 10 years, at least two homeowners on the Cheltenham side of adjacent Chelfield Road loop have experienced smaller sinkholes on their front lawns.
The neighborhood sits a short distance away from a stone quarry on Willow Grove Avenue.
How climate change impacts our water
Originally posted on November 11, 2016
The following is a guest commentary submitted by Jennifer McKay, policy specialist for the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
For many part-time residents, summers in Northern Michigan represent a reprieve from the sweltering days experienced in other parts of the country. Year-round residents look forward to pleasantly warm summer days punctuated by cool nights and misty mornings on the water. This past summer was perfect for water recreation lovers, with some days in the 90s and an unrelenting sun overhead. In fact, summer 2016 was abnormally hot across the globe, including here in Northern Michigan. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), July 2016 was 1.57° F above the 20th-century average and was the hottest July in recorded history.
With so much of Northern Michigan’s economy based in outdoor activities, the hot and clear weather was a boom for many local businesses. Campgrounds, outfitters, restaurants, and retailers were among those reporting increased traffic. While hot summer weather may benefit our local economy, it also has an impact on water resources.
What did this mean for water quality and the life within and around our lakes? For one, warmer water promotes biologic activity, meaning that plants and algae grow better in warmer waters. The Watershed Council received many reports of purple loosestrife, Eurasian watermilfoil, Phragmites, and other aquatic invasive plant species growing more heavily than normal this past summer. While these invasives can inhibit recreation and lakefront views, more damaging are the ecological impacts. One of these impacts includes monoculture growth, resulting in decreased biodiversity and less food for waterfowl and gamefish.
One curiosity of warmer weather is the appearance of a freshwater jellyfish. “Blooms” of these freshwater jellies coincide with heat waves and this summer, the Watershed Council received reports from boaters and swimmers who found the jellyfish in Crooked and Burt Lakes. Despite the sightings, there is no need to worry. While the tentacles have the ability to sting, they are far too small to be felt by humans.
These warmer air and water temperatures are just one of many effects of climate change already apparent in the Great Lakes region. We have seen a number of observable changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events over the last century, including:
— Average temperatures in the Great Lakes region increased 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit between 1968 and 2002
— Average annual ice coverage on the Great Lakes declined 72 percent between 1973 and 2010
— Total precipitation has increased 11 percent since 1900 in the eight Great Lakes States
— From 1975 to 2004, the annual number of days with land snow cover decreased by 15 and the average snow depth decreased by 2 inches, and
— The frost-free season lengthened by 9 days in the Midwestern U.S. between 1958 and 2012
As a result, many Great Lakes states, communities, organizations, and individuals are taking steps to manage or adapt to climate change impacts to protect coastal communities. These can be technologies, procedures, practices, and behaviors taken in anticipation of impacts or in response to impacts.
They are practical steps to help avoid or reduce climate change consequences and protect communities from the likely disruption and damage that will result from effects of climate change.
In an effort to help you protect our coastal assets, we developed a publication, Climate Change Adaptation: A Toolkit of Best Management Practices for Coastal Wetlands in Michigan.
The Toolkit provides information about climate change adaptation best management practices that can be implemented on an individual, local, or regional level to address many of the potential impacts of climate change. It can be used by almost anyone in Michigan, including homeowners, developers, municipalities, organizations, and water and wetland resource managers. We encourage you to use the publication to help ensure the health of our Great Lakes and coastal communities in the future as climate changes continue to impact our region.
Boil-water advisory in portion of Sturgis
Due to a loss of pressure in the Sturgis water supply, bacterial contamination may have occurred, city officials said.
originally posted on January 24, 2017
Due to a loss of pressure in the Sturgis water supply, bacterial contamination may have occurred, city officials said.
Precautionary action is being taken due to a water main break that occurred in an area that includes Main Street to the south, Jerolene Street to the north, George Street to the east and Market Street to the west. Only residents living within that area are included in the advisory.
The notice will remain in effect until results from the sampling verify the water is safe to drink. Residents will be advised when the boil-water advisory has been lifted.
Bacteria generally are not harmful and are common throughout the environment, officials said. Corrective measures are being undertaken to correct the situation.
What to do
For residents in the affected area, do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, then let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
What happened? What is being done?
Loss of water pressure in the water distribution system occurred when valves were closed to isolate the broken section of main so repairs could be made, officials said. Whenever a water system loses pressure for a significant length of time, precautionary measures are recommended.
Once pressure is restored, samples will be collected to determine that the water quality meets the state drinking water standards. The city will inform residents when tests show no bacteria and the boil-water warning is lifted.
For additional information, call Rick Miller, Sturgis director of public services, (269) 651-2879 or (269) 625-7070.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA safe drinking water hotline, (800) 426-4791.
Gold Hill Residents Want Answers After Another Boil Advisory Issued
Originally posted on November 23, 2016
Another water boil advisory is impacting residents of Gold Hill. This comes after another water main broke Thursday afternoon in an alley between 4th and 5th streets and Fredenburg and Estramado.
The pipes are very old and fragile and have been springing leaks during recent work on sewage lines.
A Gold Hill Facebook group put up a post asking for volunteers to help pass out flyers. Residents were also notified by phone, and the city encourages people to sign up for emergency alerts on the Jackson County website.
Gold Hill Resident Cathy Courtney says, “I can’t even count the number of times it has happened. You get ready to brush your teeth but you can’t. You have to go and get some bottled water. It is a pain in the rear end.”
The city says they hope to have the issue resolved in 72 hours, but for now water is available at City Hall.
Boil water advisory in effect for east bank of Plaquemine
Originally posted on November 11, 2016
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — A boil water advisory is in effect for the Eastbank of Plaquemines Parish.
According to parish officials, the advisory includes Braithwaite and extends from the parish line to White Ditch.
The advisory was put into effect around 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. Officials say it was caused by a drop in water pressure due to a contractor breaking the main waterline. Crews are currently on site repairing the damage.
Everyone living in that area is advised to boil their water for at least one minute before consuming it.
Eyewitness news will update this story when the water has been declared safe for consumption.
New Albany issues boil water advisory
by Madeleine Winer, originally posted on January 24, 2017
A boil water advisory is in effect for Lynn Court, a street off of Coes Lane, in New Albany until 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The city’s Facebook page said the water company is notifying residents affected. City spokesman Mike Hall said a water main break caused the advisory.
Customers should call 1-800-492-8373 with questions or concerns.
A boil water advisory has been issued for an estimated 300 Indiana American Water customers in New Albany.
Officials with Indiana American Water say a valve blew off a 12-inch water main Tuesday evening near 8th and Market Streets.
Customers west of 5th Street and south of Spring Street are advised to drink and cook with tap water only after boiling it for at least three minutes.
Town of Many under water boil advisory
originally posted on January 25, 2017
Boil water notice for Cass Co. Rural Water Dist. #2 lifted
Originally posted on November 22, 2016
LINCOLN, Neb. A boil water notice issued last Thursday for customers of Rural Water District #2 has been lifted, officials said. All recent tests conducted turned up negative for e.coli.
Counties affected include Cass, Otoe, eastern Lancaster and the Village of Murdock. In Lancaster County, this includes the area from 112th to 190th Streets.
Lancaster County Rural Water District #1 customers are not affected.
Also, Otoe County Rural Water District 3 is not included.
Authorities say water meant for consumption must be boiled for at least three minutes. Water used for other purposes is okay.
The notice comes after a recent sample tested positive for the e-coli bacteria. The district is not sure what caused the contamination.
The Cass County Rural Water District #2 will be updating the message on their machine on a daily basis. Customers can call 402-994-2555 and listen to the message to see if there’s been an update.
Water boil advisory in effect for Riviera residents
by Jonathan Munson and Michael Gibson, originally posted on January 24, 2017
RIVIERA, TEXAS (KIII NEWS) – A water boil advisory was issued for the residents of Riviera, Texas, Monday after a line break caused to a line break. The line has since been fixed, but officials said that advisory will remain in effect for a couple of days as a precaution.
Hoot Gibson of Riviera Water System, Inc., confirmed to 3News Tuesday that the broken line had been repaired, but the boil would remain in effect.
The notice tells residents that any water to be used for drinking and cooking should be brought to a vigorous boil for two minutes to ensure the destruction of potential bacteria.
When the water boil advisory is lifted, residents will be notified by water system officials.