Boil-water advisories in Kansas and Georgia: what to do

Boil water advisories have appeared in several places this year after pressure drops and equipment failures. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and FOX 5 Atlanta both reported recent notices.

What happened

KDHE issued an advisory in Hoisington, Kansas, on Oct. 16 for customers south of the railroad tracks, then extended it to the whole city on Oct. 20. A waterline leak caused a loss of pressure. In north Georgia, FOX 5 Atlanta reported that a pump failure on Oct. 7 triggered precautionary advisories, and the advisory was lifted the next day after tests found no contaminants. In late July, a pump station failure in north Clayton County, Georgia, led to a mandatory boil water advisory for the affected areas, and FOX 5 Atlanta reported the cause had not yet been determined.

What it means for your home

A loss of pressure can reduce chlorine levels and allow bacterial contamination, so water may need boiling even when it looks clear. Keep boiling or using bottled water until the notice has officially been lifted.

What to do this week

• Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep a way to make water safe, such as a pot for boiling, purification tablets or a filter.
• Learn the boil steps: bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, then let it cool.
• Keep stored water in clean, covered containers with the date written on each one.
• Sign up for alerts from your water utility or county, if they offer them.

The full steps, including filters and tablets, are in How to make water safe to drink. Use tablets and filters exactly as the label says.