[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Precautionary Boil Advisory Extended in Thornbrook and Steeplechase Subdivisions Indefinitely - Residents Urged to Alter Irrigation Schedules

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Columbia Water & Light
(573) 874-7325

Precautionary Boil Advisory Extended in Thornbrook and Steeplechase Subdivisions  Indefinitely -  Residents Urged to Alter Irrigation Schedules

COLUMBIA, MO (June 20, 2016) - The precautionary boil advisory for Thornbrook and Steeplechase Subdivisions has been extended indefinitely. On Monday, June 20, water pressure in the Thornbrook and Steeplechase Subdivisions have again dropped below 20 pounds per square inch (psi).

There continues to be a substantial drop in water pressure during the early morning hours in some southwestern Columbia subdivisions as of Friday morning.  Water flow data loggers show that starting around 4 a.m., the water pressure is dropping substantially. Due to no problems being found on the water distribution system, it continues to appear that irrigation system demand is causing the problem. Columbia Water & Light is urging residents to adhere to a voluntary irrigation schedule in the Creek's Edge, Thornbrook, Steeplechase and Wyndham Ridge subdivisions so all of the irrigation systems do not operate  at the same time.

"Following the irrigation schedule shared with residents last week and again today is the fastest short term solution to lifting the precautionary boil advisory", said Ryan Williams, assistant utilities director for Columbia Water & Light.

On Monday, June 13, Columbia Water & Light called a precautionary boil advisory for approximately 600 customers in the Thornbrook neighborhood. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) rules for water utilities mandate that a boil advisory be called when the pressure drops below 20 psi. This is because low water pressure could cause a backflow situation where something could be siphoned into the water distribution system. Of the water samples that have been tested, no contaminants have been found.

Again, the utility is urging customers who are served by the same water distribution pipes to follow the utility's suggested irrigation schedule. The schedule is for the following subdivisions: Creek's Edge, Thornbrook, Steeplechase and Wyndham Ridge subdivisions. The customers in the area have been divided into five groups that will be asked to set their irrigation timers between midnight and 4 a.m. (see attached schedule). If enough residents will rotate their  water irrigation schedule, the demand will decrease. When there is not a substantial drop in pressure, then the boil advisory will be lifted. If there is not a change in demand in the early morning hours with this voluntary request, then an alternating day schedule for irrigation with specific times will likely be required.

Water utility modeling shows that there is adequate piping in place to meet customers' water needs, if the demand for water does not spike at times during the day. The subdivisions in this area of town are different than other areas of the city since they are on the boundaries of the water territory and the elevation is higher. Short-term and long-term solutions to the low water pressure issue continues to be researched by Columbia Water & Light.



This release has the following attachments:

http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=1256



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