BARNES CITY UNDER DRINKING WATER BOIL ADVISORY

MEDIA CONTACT: Janet Gastineau, DNR, at (515) 725-0334.

BARNES CITY — The City of Barnes City in Mahaska County has issued a boil advisory for its residents after its drinking water system lost pressure Wednesday.

During construction on a new central sewer system Wednesday night, a water line washed out. This caused the drinking water distribution system to lose pressure, creating the potential for bacterial contamination.

The city has restored pressure in the system for half of the city. The DNR advises those residents, and the entire town once pressure is completely restored, to boil water until testing shows the water is safe to drink.

The DNR recommends that residents boil water before using it for drinking or cooking, or to use an alternative source of water, due to the potential for bacterial contamination following a loss of pressure.

Residents should boil water used for drinking or cooking, brushing teeth, food preparation or any other purpose involving human consumption. City water may still be used for bathing.

Boiling destroys bacteria and disease-causing organisms, which may be in the water. Water should be brought to a boil, boiled one minute and then allowed to cool before using. More information on disinfecting water is available on the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Residents should continue to boil their water until the city notifies them that water is meeting standards and is safe to drink. The DNR will recommend the city lift the boil advisory after all samples have tested negative for the presence of bacteria.

The contractor responsible for the washed out line will make repairs.

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