For immediate release: September 9, 2009

 

DRINKING WATER BOIL ADVISORY ISSUED FOR LAUREL, PARTS OF RURAL JASPER AND MARSHALL COUNTIES

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Stricker, DNR Des Moines field office supervisor, at (515) 725-0270 or [log in to unmask]

 

LAUREL — The city of Laurel in Marshall County and Central Iowa Rural Water Association have issued boil advisories after their drinking water systems lost pressure early Wednesday.

 

This boil advisory affects Laurel residents as well as rural customers of Central Iowa Water in Jasper County in the area north of county road F27 and east of Highway 14/East 92nd St. North. It also affects rural customers in Marshall County located along a three-mile stretch of Highway 14 heading north from the Jasper county line. It is estimated that this boil advisory affects around 125 rural Central Iowa Water customers.

 

Central Iowa Water had an 8-inch main break in their system around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. This break caused the water tower serving this area to drain, sending little or no water into the system. This caused the drinking water distribution system to lose pressure, creating the potential for bacterial contamination.

 

Central Iowa Water Association has restored pressure in the system for this area, including Laurel, but the DNR advises customers that the boil advisory will continue 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. 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 of Laurel and Central Iowa Water 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.

 

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