Boil water advisory issued in town of Melville
Originally posted on August 6, 2016
State regulators expand inquiry into AV Water
By Brett Berntsen, originally posted on August 5, 2016
FARMINGTON — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is requesting more information on the AV Water Company’s business practices during a months-long boil advisory affecting nearly 7,000 residents in Crouch Mesa and areas outside Bloomfield.
On Wednesday, the state regulatory agency voted to expand its order to show cause, requiring AV Water to explain why it should not be held liable for failing to provide services to customers. Commissioners agreed to seek further details on whether the company has improperly charged residents and how it plans to compensate those who have experienced intermittent water shortages during the boil advisory.
The PRC issued its original order on June 29. AV Water issued a response about two weeks later, stating it had not violated any regulations and that many of the problems with the water system date back to before the company purchased the infrastructure in 2008. After reviewing the response, the PRC has determined more information is required to make a decision on imposing penalties.
“The commission decided that they needed to look into this matter more,” PRC spokesman Carlos Padilla said.
Customers of the company’s Morningstar and Harvest Gold water systems have been under a boil advisory since May 25, due to failures at AV Water’s treatment plants. The Morningstar facility experienced problems filtering water from the Animas River, and the facility since has been abandoned in favor of a connection with the city of Farmington. The Harvest Gold treatment plant also encountered turbidity issues after its water source, the Bloomfield Irrigation Ditch, breached in mid May.
AV Water representative Germaine Chappelle said the request from the PRC is reasonable and necessary.
“It’s information that folks should have,” she said. “We don’t have any objections.”
The order requires AV Water to submit a response within 15 days.
While customers have complained about paying for water they can’t drink during the boil advisory, concerns over charging practices extend farther back. Kalee Chivers-Grothe, an organizer of the Animas Valley Water Protesters group formed in response to the crisis, said that monthly bills from the company have a history of suddenly skyrocketing. She said residents will receive an unexpectedly high bill, then become buried in late fees. Members of the protest group have urged customers to begin monitoring their own meters to hold the company accountable.
Despite the issuing of the PRC’s regulation, Chivers-Grothe said she doesn’t think the latest order will carry much weight.
“I don’t think that it’s as good as the paper it’s written on,” she said. “We’re not seeing any action.”
The water systems were built by a local developer in the 1970s, but only recently became regulated as a utility. The system was sold in 2008 to a group of a Chicago-based investors who formed the Animas Valley Land and Water Co., which was organized under a string of parent businesses registered in the state of Delaware. Shortly after the sale, the company sought public utility status from the PRC. Controlling member Mark Iuppenlatz testified in 2011 that he became aware of the “potential that the water systems should have been regulated by the (PRC) all along.” The case moved slowly before the commission, however, and finally was approved in February.
Chivers-Grothe said the PRC’s investigation comes late in the game and simple refunds can’t make up for the damage done.
“It’s not even compensation,” she said. “Its money they stole from us.”
As the PRC process continues, efforts are underway to lift the lengthy boil advisory. The Morningstar system has been connected to the city of Farmington, and crews are working to flush the remaining unacceptable water from the lines. According to an update issued by the company today, crews have purged the water mains in multiple subdivisions, including Star Heights, Vista Heights and Anasazi Estates. The remainder of the system will be flushed next week, the update states. The company anticipates the delivery of a new filter for the Harvest Gold treatment plant on Monday and will determine the additional steps needed to lift the boil advisory for that system early next week, as well.
Chappelle said the company is appreciative of the water conservation measures taken by customers during the flushing process.
“They did a great a job,” she said. “We’re looking forward to getting past this issue.”
For information on the boil advisory, visit the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management website at http://www.sjcoem.com/.
Brett Berntsen covers government for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4606.
Battle Creek issues boil water advisory
originally posted on August 6, 2016
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – The City of Battle Creek has announced a boil water advisory for a portion of Morgan Avenue, Sigel Avenue and Taylor Avenue, after a system shutdown for improvements or repairs. The city announced Saturday morning that the advisory was in effect on the following roads:
On Morgan Avenue between Cedar Avenue and Sigel Avenue.
On Sigel Avenue between Morgan Avenue and Taylor Avenue.
On Taylor Avenue between Sigel Avenue and Geneva Avenue.
The advisory is in place because of low pressure in the system due to repairs, which offers the potential for bacteria to enter the system. It is advised that bacteria are generally not harmful, and are common throughout the environment, but as a precaution, the city is advising residents to boil water before using it for consumption.
We will let you know when the advisory is lifted.
Boil Water Advisory: Danville Water Works
originally posted on August 5, 2016
DANVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Danville Water Works has issued a boil water advisory for about 40 customers.
The company says the advisory is due to a line break that needs to be repaired.
Customers along North Jackson to First Street, all of Woods Street, and along Battlefield Road out to 1315, are advised to boil their water for at least three minutes before using for cooking or drinking.
ABC 36 will update this story when the advisory is lifted.
Valley Lane boil alert extended until Saturday morning
Originally posted on August 5, 2016
PERKINS TWP. — The advisory for Valley Lane will now be in effect until 8 a.m. Saturday
PERKINS TWP. — The advisory for Valley Lane, Perkins Township will be in effect through 3 p.m. Friday.
The Erie County water department issued this statement:
Erie County water is still working on another water main break on Valley Lane this afternoon. Water service will be off until repairs are made, and a 24-hour boil advisory will be in effect once water service is restored. A boil advisory means you should boil your water vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes before consumption. Please call Erie County Water with any questions 419-627-7666.
Original story (12 p.m. Thursday)
PERKINS TWP. — The Erie County water department issued this statement:
Due to a water main break on Valley Lane, Perkins Township, water service has been shut off to make repairs. Once water service is restored, there will be a 24-hour boil advisory. A boil advisory means you should boil your water vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes before consumption. Please call Erie County water if you have any questions at 419-627-7666.
Parts of Elton under boil advisory
Originally posted on August 5, 2016
The Town of Elton Water System has issued a boil advisory effective immediately for the areas of West of Mayor Marcantel, South of Main Street; Martin Luther King Street, Powell Road and Web Subdivision.
The boil advisory is to remain in effect until lifted by the water system. Officials recommend residents disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks) , making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of food by:
Officials recommend residents disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks) , making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of food by:
Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. the one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
East Lansing and Meridian Township issue boil water advisory
Originally posted on August 5, 2016
People in East Lansing and Meridian Township are being told to boil water this morning because of an issue with a water treatment plant.
The advisory has been issued due to an increase in turbidity or cloudiness in the water due to the lack of performance of filters at the East Lansing Meridian Water Treatment Plant.
Turbidity has no health effects however it can allow for harmful microbes to grow. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches.
The advisory is expected to last for 24 to 48 hours.
Meridian Township posted the following statement on their web page.
“BOIL WATER ADVISORY: The water plant had an issue with a filter this morning and caused a treatment technique violation, in discussion with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the East Lansing Meridian Water & Sewer Authority has issued a Boil Water Advisory for both East Lansing and Meridian Township water systems, which will be in effect until we can demonstrate the microbial quality of the water is safe.”
UPDATE: Boil advisory lifted for East Side Water System in Ville Platte
Originally posted on August 4, 2016
VILLE PLATTE – The boil advisory announced last week for the East Side Water System in Ville Platte has been lifted.
A boil advisory has been issued for East Side Water System in Ville Platte for customers living on Belaire Cove Road.
The East Side Water System in Ville Platte is out of water due to Cleco drilling through water lines.
The drilling assists the process of replacing a power pole that was damaged in an auto accident.
Boil Advisory: City of Tallulah Water System
Originally posted on October 11, 2016
MONROE, La (News Release) – A boil advisory has been issued for the City of Tallulah Water System.
The City of Tallulah Water System reports experiencing problems with its water supply due to a critical system malfunction at the City of Tallulah Water Plant.
This advisory is in effect until further notice.
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
+ Boil water for (1) one full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil.
Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for parts of Dauphin and Perry County
By Jennifer Ready, originally posted on August 4, 2016
SUSQUEHANNA TWP., Pa. — A boil water advisory remains in effect Thursday for several areas of Dauphin and Perry County after a major water main break.
Officials for SUEZ Water Company says the break happened around 7 am Wednesday morning on a main water line along Linglestown Rd. in Susquehanna Township.
The boil water advisory impacts some SUEZ Water Company customers in Susquehanna Township, Lower Paxton Township, Marysville, and Penbrook.
Officials remind customers to boil their water for one minute and let it cool or buy bottled water. In addition, customers should use boiled or bottled water for making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparations.
SUEZ is advising customers to boil their water until further notice, the company says testing the water could take up to 48 hours.