[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Educational campaign for water boil advisories/orders

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Connie Kacprowicz, Utility Services Specialist 
(573) 874-7325

Floyd Turner, Manager of Water Operations 
(573) 874-6229


Educational campaign for water boil advisories/orders

COLUMBIA, MO (May 9, 2011) - Columbia Water & Light will send letters to water customers this week to help them understand the differences between a water boil advisory and a boil order. Columbia Water & Light is required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to give notice of a water boil advisory for any water main breaks where the pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch (psi). This requirement will let water customers know when there is a risk to the water quality. A boil order is called when there is a known contamination of the water. The letters to the customers also review what to do when a boil advisory/order is called and how they will be notified.

Columbia Water & Light maintains approximately 3.5 million feet of water distribution lines. The utility has an ongoing maintenance plan and strives to provide reliable water service. There are factors that can affect the system that are beyond the utility's control. For example,Columbia's soil has a high clay content which can shift when there are high moisture levels and/or drastic temperature changes. This shifting can lead to the pipes in the ground moving which can cause breaks. The amount of water main breaks for the system has been less than two per week for the last 10 years. The average number of affected customers for each break is less than 20.

Customer notification procedure

The fastest way for customers to receive notification is to sign up for the Nixle messaging service at GoColumbiaMo.com. Customer can choose between being alerted by e-mail or a text message with the Nixle system. Columbia Water & Light will make every effort to post information on the city's website when possible. Staffing and the time that the boil advisory/order is called will affect posting information on the website. A call will be made as listed above to the phone number listed on the water customer's account.

More detailed information about water boil advisories/orders can be found on the city's website at GoColumbiaMo.com.


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