KDHE
On Saturday The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a boil water advisory for the City of Bennington public water supply system in Ottawa County.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute before drinking or preparing food or use bottled water. Dispose of ice cubes and avoid using ice from a household automatic icemaker. If tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears. Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersing them for at least one minute in clean tap water containing one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled; however, supervise children to prevent ingestion, and persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on November 2 and will remain in effect until the conditions that put the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory due to a loss of pressure caused by a power fluctuation. Failure to maintain adequate pressure can lead to a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory, regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE initially announced the advisory.
For questions, contact the water system at 785-488-3767 or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For more information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service
Restaurants and other food establishments with questions about the advisory’s impact on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.