A boil water advisory has been issued for St. Marys in Pottawatomie County by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Thursday.
A break in the water lines resulted in a loss of pressure in the system, which may result in bacterial contamination due to loss of chlorine residuals.
The advisory will remain in effect until the water lines are fixed and water is tested by a KDHE-certified laboratory.
Residents should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, dispose of any ice cubes and avoid using ice from an automatic ice-maker, and immerse dishes in clean water that contains one teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water. They also recommend flushing water lines until they clear if water appears dirty. Bathing water generally does not need to be boiled, but children should be supervised to ensure they do not consume potentially contaminated water. People with open wounds or rashes may want to consult their physicians prior to bathing.
Any additional questions can be directed to Pottowatomie County Emergency Management Director Chris Trudo at 785-457-3358 or KDHE at 785-296-5514.
