UPDATE: Eudora Boil Water Notice canceled

NOTE: The Boil Water Alert for Eudora Utilities Association customers was canceled by the Mississippi State Department of Health on Saturday. Below is our original story, which was published on September 2nd.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has issued a boiling water warning to customers who get their drinking water from the Eudora Utilities Association’s water supply in DeSoto County. The announcement affects approximately 3,654 customers served by the Eudora Utilities Association.

Water samples showed the presence of E. coli. Bacteria.

Health officials strongly recommend vigorously boiling all water for a minute before consuming it. This precaution will last a minimum of two full days and water system officials will be notified immediately if the boiling water warning is lifted.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets drinking water standards and has determined that E. coli levels are a serious health concern. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria, the presence of which suggests that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headache, or other symptoms. They can pose a particular health risk to infants, young children and people with severely weakened immune systems.

The presence of these bacteria in the water generally results from a problem with the treatment process or the pipes that distribute the water.

Safe water use checklist

NOT

  • Do not drink tap water while the water system is under an indication to boil water.
  • Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the affected system.
  • Do not use ice unless it has been made with boiling water. Freezing doesn’t necessarily kill harmful bacteria.
  • Do not use tap water to make beverages, juices, or soft drinks from fountains.

TO DO

  • Rinse your dishes in boiling water or use paper plates for the next few days.
  • Wash your fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water as they may have been exposed to affected water from grocery store sprays.
  • Wash your hands and bathe as you normally would. Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed.
  • Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water.
  • Boil in tap water if the food is boiled for at least a minute.

AND NOTE:

  • Properly chlorinated water in swimming pools is safe.
  • Fish in aquariums are not affected.
  • Bringing water to a boil for a minute will inactivate all major types of harmful bacteria.

If your boiling water reference is canceled:

  • Flush the taps for a total of 10 minutes to introduce the system water into the entire house installation.

Example:

1 faucet – let it run for 10 minutes

2 taps – let both run for 5 minutes

3 taps – run for 3-4 minutes each

  • Flush each faucet for at least 2 minutes to ensure that the line to the faucet clears.
  • Discard all beverages, ice, food, etc. made during the boiling water notification.
  • Rinse all objects that come into contact with food or beverages (knives, forks, plates, etc.) with “cleaned” system water.
  • Check water filters (in taps, refrigerators and elsewhere) and replace if necessary.
  • Do not use water from your water heater for drinking until the tank has been replaced several times.
  • Let the dishwasher go through a cycle or two before washing the dishes.
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