Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued Do Not Drink Order for Sundowner, Inc public water supply system located in Saline County due to low chlorine residual and unknown manganese levels in the drinking water.
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 maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.
- Water, juice, and formula intended for infants up to six months 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, freezing, filtering, or letting water sit. Excessive boiling can concentrate the manganese as water evaporates because the manganese remains in the liquid.
- Water SHOULD NOT be ingested or used for brushing teeth. Use bottled water for these purposes.
- 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 order took effect on August 4, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of manganese contamination in excess of the MCL are resolved.
Limited bottled water is available for customers at 7552 W Rifle Road
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (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 785.425.8714, 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 Do Not Drink Order on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785.564.6767.