Updated 4/12/2024 at 3:27 p.m.
By SALINA POST
In an unusual turn of events, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment replaced a boil advisory with a do not drink advisory for the Sundowner West Mobile Home Park public water supply system located in Saline County.
According to a release issued by the KDHE, the do not drink advisory was put in place because of the occurrence of manganese concentrations above the EPA Health Advisory Level for infants under six months in parts of the distribution system.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
⦁ DO NOT GIVE TAP WATER TO INFANTS
⦁ Infants up to six months who drink water containing manganese in excess of the EPA Health Advisory Level for infants (300 ug/L) could experience adverse health effects
⦁ Water, juice, and formula intended for infants should not be prepared with tap water. Use bottled water or other water low in manganese for this purpose.
DO NOT BOIL TAP WATER
⦁ Manganese levels cannot be reduced by boiling. Excessive boiling can concentrate the manganese as water evaporates because the manganese remains in the water
⦁Do not use water to cook or prepare food
⦁ Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker
⦁ Tap water can be used for bathing. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested
⦁Tap water may be used to flush toilets.
The advisory took effect on April 11 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are resolved.
This advisory is the latest from years' worth of neglect, as several residents at Sundowner continue to experience black sludgy water coming from their faucets, or no water at all.
According to the release, because of the presence of manganese in some areas of the distribution system, KDHE is advising customers of Sundowner Mobile Home Park to not boil their water.
Boiling water containing high levels of manganese will cause the manganese to concentrate, making it even more unsafe to drink or use.
Customers may contact Scott Kolling at 785-479-6864 for information about obtaining bottled water.
For more information about manganese please visit the KDHE webpage: KDHE Manganese Information
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a Do Not Drink Order, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-479-6864, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:
KDHE Water Disruption Information
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the Do Not Drink Order on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at Email KDA-FSL or call 785-564-6767.
Misty Livingston-Holmes will be a guest on the 910 KINA/107.5 FM Saturday Morning Show, on April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to discuss her experience dealing with low-quality water, inconsistent billing, and a lack of action from the State of Kansas.
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Submitted
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued another boil water advisory for the Sundowner West Mobile Home Park public water supply system located in Saline County.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on April 11 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-479-6864, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.