[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Precautionary water boil advisory for Thornbrook subdivision

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Connie Kacprowicz, Communications & Marketing Supervisor
Columbia Water & Light
573-874-7325
wlmail at CoMo.gov


Precautionary water boil advisory for Thornbrook subdivision

COLUMBIA, MO (June 13, 2016) - Irrigation in Columbia has greatly increased due to the hot, dry weather. With this increased water usage, residents of the Thornbrook subdivision contacted Columbia Water & Light about a drop in water pressure during the early morning hours. 

 

Columbia water utility staff members have been investigating the low pressure issue so the problem could be resolved. As part of this research, water flow data loggers were put on the water distribution system in the Thornbrook neighborhood. Between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Monday morning the water pressure dropped below 20 psi. This was reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and they instructed Columbia Water & Light to call a precautionary boil advisory. DNR requires water utilities to call boil advisories when the pressure drops below 20 psi because it could cause a backflow situation where something could be siphoned into the water distribution system.

 

Around 600 Thornbrook subdivision customers in southwest Columbia will be notified by a phone call about the precautionary boil advisory. Customers are urged to take the following steps until notified by Columbia Water & Light: 

·         Boil water for three minutes prior to using it for cooking or drinking.

·         Do not consume ice from an automatic ice maker. Remake ice with water that has been boiled for three minutes.

·         Wash dishes and food contact surfaces by immersing for one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water.

 

Columbia’s water division staff is continuing to do more research in the area to ensure there are no problems with the water distribution system that would be causing the drop in water pressure. Since the pressure is spiking at one point in the early morning hours, it could be that all the irrigation systems in the area are programmed to start at the same time. A detailed investigation of water use patterns is being studied. If it is a water demand issue due to irrigation systems, a plan for alternating water schedules could be developed.  

 



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