Fort Mill residents worry about possible water contamination
By Sarah-Blake Morgan, originally posted on July 29, 2016
Fort Mill, SC (WBTV) –
Families in Fort Mill are scared for their safety after they say one resident’s test found Coliform bacteria in their tap water.
The news comes after raw sewage flowed into some homes, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Coliform, while common, is the same bacteria found in feces.
After calls from several residents, York County is testing the water in the area and told WBTV they are sure the water is safe. But until the test results come back, some families have resorted to avoiding their faucets.
Among those families are Xavier and Tammy Tufty, and their two daughters, who live in one of the houses ravaged by the sewage.
“Bottled water went into my coffee maker this morning,” Xavier said. “We’re going to be drinking bottled water until we get a clear notification that the water coming out of the tap is safe to drink.”
The county said that it does monthly testing and it’s already found the amount of chlorine in the water necessary to kill the bacteria, but the Tuftys said they’re going to play it safe.
“Unfortunately in our current situation, I can’t trust any of that,” Tammy said.
The Tuftys feel the county isn’t taking enough of an interest in the situation and they could possibly be putting their residents’ health at risk.
“There doesn’t seem to be any sort of a crisis management plan in place in York County,” Xavier said. “To think that we just paid our bill last night and we’re not sure about the water that’s coming out of the tap. I mean, it’s starting to feel like we might be in Flint Michigan or something.”
Tammy said she has told her daughters not to use water out of the out of the tap or get ice out of the freezer.
“I have no idea what is coming out of my faucet right now, absolutely no idea,” Tammy said.
WBTV will post an update once the results are released on Friday.
Crouch Mesa water flush postponed
by Brett Berntsen, originally posted on July 28, 2016
FARMINGTON — The final flushing process needed to end a two-month-long boil water advisory affecting Crouch Mesa residents has been postponed.
The AV Water company, which owns and operates the rural Morningstar and Harvest Gold water systems, will begin purging its pipes early next week, according to General Manager Fred Whistle. The company’s nearly 7,000 customers have been under a boil advisory since May 25, due to problems at AV Water’s aging treatment plant. The company has since abandoned the plant and constructed a pump station to provide customers with water from the city of Farmington. Crews must thoroughly flush all the remaining water from residences before the boil advisory can be lifted, however.
AV Water anticipated starting the process this week, but that plan was pending approval from the New Mexico Environment Department. The delay comes after the company failed to meet a July 15 deadline set by the NMED for the construction of the pump station. That deadline included fines of $1,000 for each day the project wasn’t completed. AV Water applied for a deadline extension, but was denied.
NMED spokeswoman Allison Scott Majure said that fines are accruing. She said settlements will occur later in the process.
Kalee Chivers Grothe, a leader of the Animas Valley Water Protesters group formed in response to the situation, said the delay in the flushing schedule is disappointing for residents.
“You see that little glimmer of light, and then it all goes black again,” she said.
Chivers Grothe said that while the flush will address the Morningstar system, which serves roughly 6,400 people in Crouch Mesa, the 500 residents on the company’s Harvest Gold system near Bloomfield will remain on a boil advisory. During an inspection of the Harvest Gold treatment plant in early June, the NMED found 21 deficiencies, including improper filtration methods and chemical treatment of drinking water. Chivers Grothe said AV Water is waiting on the delivery of a new filter for the plant.
“Then, they have to turn around and flush the system,” she said. “We’re not even close.”
After the inspection, the company had 45 days to draft a plan addressing the problems. Now that that deadline has also passed, Chivers Grothe said the state needs to start holding AV Water accountable. She said simply issuing fines won’t necessarily benefit residents.
“Where does that money go?” she said. “At the end of day, we are the ones that suffer.”
O’Neill Issues Boil Water Notice Effective Immediately
Originally posted on July 29, 2016
According to the City of O’Neill Facebook page, the city has issued a boil water notice for all residents of O’Neill that are on the city water line.
This notice comes after testing of water samples came back positive for coliform, and one sample also tested positive for E. coli.
David Jundt with the Nebraska Division of Public Health was in O’Neill informed the city on Thursday that of four routine samples that were tested, one showed that it was coliform positive. They then repeated the test and three tested positive for coliform and one also tested positive for E. coli.
Jundt says the Nebraska Department of Public Health and the city of O’Neill are now investigating why this happened.
The process to test the next water samples will take some time. It may be a week before the next results are in. This is because special sample bottles must be shipped to O’Neill, then the samples will be overnighted to the lab. Once at the lab there is a 24-hour incubation time for coliform and an additional 12 to 15 hours after that for E. coli.
Residents wishing to use city water should bring all water to a boil before use. Let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using.
The boil advisory reads: “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. If you are bathing or taking a shower that is OK, just do not ingest any water.”
The city will also be chlorinating the water possibly late Thursday night, July 28, or first thing on Friday morning, July 29.
Questions regarding this issue should be directed to O’Neill Water Commissioner Curtis Kizzire at 402-340-7827.
The Official Notice from the City is below.
BOIL WATER NOTICE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
In accordance with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. the City of O’Neill, NE3108904, public water supply system in HOLT County, is hereby making public notice of the violation of drinking water microbiological standards. The violation consists of the detection of E.coli bacteria in its distribution system during the month of July 2016.
Boil Water Advisory issued for areas in Lincoln County
Originally posted on July 29, 2016
HUSTONVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) – People in a Lincoln County town remain under a boil water advisory because of a pipe that burst during this morning’s storm.
A water main break in Hustonville knocked the supply out for 250 customers along Highway 2141 from Thomas Lane until the end of the highway. Water was restored around 6:00, but residents are still under a Boil Water Advisory until further notice.
There is an additional Boil Water Advisory issued, until further notice, for customers of Lincoln County’s McKinney Water District. This is for people who live on Neals Creek Rd, Hwy 698 in the Neals Creek Area, Hwy 27, Hwy 1247, Maywood Rd, Berry Hollow, and any Roads leading off of these. This will affect about 475 Customers.
The creek along Highway 2141 in Hustonville, between the railroad tracks and Thomas Lane was rushing much faster this morning than normal. That makes sense after heavy rain.
But when Josh Sallee turned on his faucet to wash dishes, he had little water.
“It kinda sputtered. Then nothing came out. That’s when I realized the water was off,” said Sallee.
City workers tried to find the source of the leak for hours, losing more than 200,000 gallons of city water during that time.
“With all the heavy rain we had this morning, all of our ditches had a lot of standing water, so it was extremely hard to locate this one,” said Mayor David Peyton.
Hours later, the leak was found near Thomas Lane, and the water was shut off for the surrounding 250 customers.
“Can’t use the toilets, or you can’t flush the toilets at least. You can’t take a shower. Just basic things you take for granted a lot of times,” said Sallee.
Workers spent five hours digging up the ground to find the exact source, and replace the piping. The piece that broke off had been in place since 1939, when the city first got its own water supply.
Mayor Peyton says the city does plan to replace the aging lines, and that process should start before the end of the year.
UPDATE: Repairs complete, boil water advisory remains
Originally posted on July 28, 2016
Repairs have been completed to the city’s broken water main lines, but the boil water advisory remains in effect, according to city officials.
“Water personnel are in the process of filling the water system. Officials hope to have the system completely filled between late this afternoon and tonight. City of Milledgeville water customers should be advised that some customers may still experience low water pressure. It has been noted that residents north of Milledgeville and off of Ga. Highway 22 West are experiencing low water pressure, at this time. Officials will continue to work on the situation into the night and are anticipating further improvements as the process continues.”
Boil advisory issued for area of Ward Two Water District in Denham Springs
original posted on July 29, 2016
Denham Springs, LA (WAFB) – A boil water advisory has been issued by Ward Two Water District for an area near Denham Springs.
The advisory was issued Thursday after experiencing problems with the water supply system because of a cut water main on Lockhart Road.
The advisory was only for customers in the area on Lockhart Road between Dunn Road and Cockerham Road. However, officials said it does not include Dunn Road.
Water users in the affected area are asked to boil any water that is to be used for human consumption.
The boil advisory will be rescinded once officials are notified by the Louisiana Department of Health that the water is safe again.
Update: Water pressure restored in Camden
by Matt Flowers, original posted on July 28, 2016
CAMDEN – Water service and pressure has been restored to all Camden customers following a “boil water advisory” that went into effect Thursday.
The city announced the resumption of water service Friday afternoon.
State-mandated water tests are now underway, officials said. As a precaution, all impacted customers are still advised to continue boiling water until testing results show the water quality is safe.
The advisory went into affect Thursday following a water main break that caused low water pressure, affecting city neighborhoods west of Cooper River.
City officials are instructing customers to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow the tap water to cool before using, or use bottled water.
City officials are asking residents in the affected areas to use boiled or bottled water for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes.
For more information, contact the American Water office during business hours at (856) 635-1496. Residents can also contact the Water Treatment Plant for emergencies at (856) 220-4235.
Visit the American Water website for further updates.
Georgia College campus closed, classes cancelled due to boil water advisory
by Ashley Trawick, originally posted on July 28, 2016
Georgia College and State University closed the campus and cancelled classes Thursday due to the water boil advisory.
According to a news release from its Office of Communications, faculty members will contact students to make alternative arrangements for class.
The advisory went into effect Wednesday after a water main break caused parts of the water system to drop to “dangeroulsy low levels.”
Customers with the city of Milledgeville are advised to boil all water prior to use for drinking, cooking or preparing good. It should be boiled for at least one minute, a news release states, after reaching a rolling boil.
Citizens should boil the water until further notice.
This is the third time the city has been faced with a water main break since April.
Water-boil advisory remains in effect in Statesville
Originally posted on July 28, 2016
City of Statesville residents will likely need to boil water needed for consumption through at least 3 p.m. today due to Wednesday’s water main break.
The break occurred on a 24-inch pipe about 3 a.m. near the water treatment plant on Pump Station Road. Most Statesville water customers were without water for several hours, and city officials advised residents to use bottled water or boil tap water needed for consumption.
A new valve was installed at the site by mid-morning, and by 1:30 p.m. the pressure built back up enough for workers to collect samples to send for testing, according to City of Statesville Water Resources Assistant Director Jerry Byerly.
Those results are expected back by 2:30 p.m. today and at that point the city will re-assess the advisory, Byerly said.
The advisory continued even after the water flow was restored because “periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system,” according to the city’s website.
The situation created issues for residents and some area businesses, particularly restaurants.
Clay Helms, manager at Charanda at 1841 E. Broad St., estimated he uses about 300 gallons of water a day for his restaurant.
He decided not to open Charanda on Wednesday, and estimated his losses at between $1,500 and $1,650.
“It has crippled us,” he said.
Diane’s Court Street Café in downtown Statesville was open Wednesday morning despite the lack of water.
Owner Diane Bragau noticed the problem as soon as she opened around 5:30 a.m., and she immediately starting melting ice and boiling it, she said.
South Statesville resident Chris Bentley, 31, said his wife told him about the water issues about 4:30 a.m.
“She came in and was like, ‘we have a big problem,’” he said. Shortly after, he realized it would create an issue feeding his 10-month-old daughter, who drinks powdered formula.
“Thankfully she hasn’t woken up yet,” Bentley said around 8:30 a.m.
When his water started to flow again, it was dark brown. The color returned to normal after about 20 minutes, but he planned to boil water as long as necessary, he said. When Shameka Caldwell learned of the water problems, she and her three children walked to the Dollar General on Shelton Avenue to buy water and other groceries.
She planned to use the water for drinking and brushing teeth, she said. She also purchased gallon jugs to deliver to a few people she knew needed it. Throughout the day, updates were provided on the city’s website at statesvillenc.net. The city closed the leisure pool at 1877 Simonton Road, and the Iredell County Courthouse was also closed.
City workers delivered bottled water to the Iredell Council on Aging nutrition site late Wednesday morning, and set up other distribution sites later in the day at the city’s four fire department locations, the police department and Fifth Street Ministries.
Statesville Public Affairs Director Nancy Davis said the bottled water would be available for residents who can’t boil their own until 10 p.m. Wednesday.
TIPS FOR WATER CUSTOMERS
· Once the water boiling advisory has been lifted, let your sink, shower and other faucets run for a few minutes to clear the lines. A good way to tell is to fill a white cup or mug so you can easily see if the water is clear.
· It’s safe during the advisory period to take showers and do other activities that don’t involve water consumption. If the water appears cloudy let it run to clear out the line, particularly for washing clothes.
· If you plan to boil water, do so for at least a minute to kill any potential disease-causing organisms · The boiling advisory does not affect customers of the Iredell Water Corporation.
· For updates on the advisory, visit www.statesvillenc.net.
Boil-water advisory issued
By Harlan Daily Enterprise, originally posted on July 27, 2016
Cawood Water District has issued a boil-water advisory for all customers of Cawood to the end of the line at Liggett.