by Thomas Lanahan,  originally posted on June 29, 2016

COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) – The City of Columbia Water Works division is issuing a boil water advisory for some customers in Richland County.

The boil water advisory has been put in place for customers of 2460 and 2470 Decker Boulevard.

The City says the area has experienced an 8-inch water main break. This break could also possibly result in bacterial contamination of the water.

The City of Columbia Water Works division is currently working to fix the problem.

The City is asking for the community in that area to boil their water for at least one minute prior to cooking or drinking until the break is fixed.

Anyone with questions are asked to call the SC DHEC Division of Health Licensing at 803-545-4370 or the City of Columbia Customer Care Call Center at 803-545-3300.

originally posted on July 19, 2016

MATOAKA — The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health has re-issued a boil water advisory for the Weyanoke Giatto Water System in Mercer County.

Officials said while this advisory is in effect, consumers are advised to boil their drinking water (a full rolling boil) for at least one minute prior to drinking, using for cooking, or hygienic purposes such as hand washing, bathing or brushing your teeth.

originally posted on July 19, 2016

MARBLE ROCK – Due to routine cleaning and inspection of the town’s water tower Wednesday, the city of Marble Rock is advising residents to boil water during the maintenance and until bacteria samples come back clean.

Low pressure in the drinking water system during the maintenance creates the potential for bacteria to enter the system. City officials and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are asking Marble Rock residents to boil their water until testing shows the water is again safe to drink.

by Taylor Greik, originally posted on August 21, 2016

JEFFERSON, W. Va. (WSAZ) — The water is back on for about 50 West Virginia American Water customers after a water main broke on Maccorkle Avenue Sunday morning.

West Virginia American Water says although service is back, they had to issue a precautionary boil water advisory for those customers for at least the next 24 hours.

One westbound lane of Maccorkle Avenue near Willow Lane is still closed as crews finish their repairs, but the water company says it should be back open before the Monday morning commute.

UPDATE 8/21/2016 @ 4:25 p.m.
JEFFERSON, W. Va. (WSAZ) — About 50 customers will be without water service until early Sunday night after a water main broke on Maccorkle Avenue.

Laura Martin from West Virginia American Water says an eight inch main broke around 11 a.m. Sunday on Maccorkle Avenue near Willow Lane.

She estimates that service will be restored sometime between 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Martin also said most of the customers affected are businesses that are closed for the day.

originally posted on August 21, 2016

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A boil water advisory that was issued for a Kalamazoo neighborhood following a water main break has been lifted.

The water main break happened along Winchell Avenue between Tipperary Road and Oakland Drive, the city said in a Sunday press release. When gate valves were closed to isolate the area, water pressure in the system dropped. When that happens, the city has to issue a boil water advisory as a precaution until the system is tested for coliform bacteria.

The city said on Tuesday afternoon that testing had confirmed there was no dangerous bacteria in the water and it was safe to drink.

The advisory was in effect from about Benjamin Avenue to the north, Oakland to the east, Winchell to the south and Tipperary to the west.

originally posted on August 12, 2016

RIXFORD — A boil water advisory for residents of Rixford has been lifted.

Jeff Anderson, an official with the Rixford Water Association, said the advisory was lifted about 4 p.m. Saturday after water samples showed the water was safe.

by Rob Snyder, originally posted on August 20, 2016

Saturday afternoon, a contractor working on North University Avenue ruptured a major water distribution line operated by the City of Lubbock.

According to city officials, water service has been interrupted to residents and businesses in an area along North University Avenue, north of Loop 289 including the Hillcrest Country Club subdivision and X-FAB.

Public Works crews are working to isolate the damaged pipe area and to start repairs as soon as possible.

Just after 9:45 p.m. Saturday night, the City of Lubbock announced the issuing of a Boil Water Notice for the area affected in North Lubbock. As water service returns to the affected area, the city is asking utility customers to boil any water used for drinking, cooking or hand washing until further notice.

For the affected area in North Lubbock city officials state it could take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to make repairs and have water service restored.

A lot of folks in Mt. Vernon will be under a boil advisory for a while.

Mt. Vernon Water reports on Facebook there is a big water leak west of town which has forced them to shut down the Western Black Township Extension to fix the break.

The area southwest and west of the intersection of Upton and Sauerkraut is currently under a boil advisory. Officials expect the advisory to last until Wednesday.

originally posted on August 20, 2016

Parts of the City of Pleasantville are under a water boil advisory until at least Monday morning.

A main break around West Pleasant Street, Clark Street and Linden Street, due to a fatigued pipe may have made water unsafe to drink in that area. The break has been repaired by city crews. Pleasantville Public Works Director Sean Breazeale (Brazil) tells KNIA/KRLS News several tests need to be performed to ensure the safety of the public. KNIA/KRLS News will report any updates on the boil advisory as soon as they become official.

by B. Michael Thurlow, originally posted on August 19, 2016

It has certainly been an exceptional summer for weather if you’re a tourist or love outdoor activities, but the lack of rain is starting to be challenging for farmers, gardeners, and those on private wells.

We are starting to hear about wells that are running dry due to the lack of rain over these last several weeks. It seems like even when fronts and thunderstorms roll through the state, they seem to miss Scarborough.

Because the long-range forecast doesn’t show much of a change from this sunny summer pattern, I wanted to remind folks that the town of Scarborough offers a free public water dispensing site at our Dunstan Fire Station.

For years the Portland Water District maintained several different sites around town where clean water was available for the public.

Many of these had been around for a long time and they were becoming a maintenance issue for the district.

Additionally, since they were located on the edge of the roadways there was a public safety concern as traffic flows continued to increase.

The solution was to work with the Portland Water District to decommission those old access points and consolidate them into one public water supply spigot at our Dunstan Fire Station which is located at 639 Route 1.

The photo above illustrates the location of the spigot which is on the western or Saco side of the building.

The public is welcome to bring their own containers and get water there anytime day or night. You don’t need to access the fire station or ask permission, the spigot is on the outside of the building and is always on. We have even striped the parking area to prohibit parking in front of the spigot to maintain access for those who need it.

We are fortunate that we don’t often experience the types of droughts that many other areas of the country do, but if you are nervous about your well or the quality of your drinking water, feel free to stop by the Dunstan fire station and help yourself.

If you have any questions about this article or any fire department issue you may contact me at mthurl@ci.scarborough.me.us or 730-4201.