The city of Eupora issued a boil-water alert last week for the Bellefontaine water system in Webster County.
The notice was issued March 17 until further notice for customers who receive their drinking water from their water supply located in Bellefontaine. It had not been lifted as of Monday afternoon.
“This affects all customers within Bellefontaine — Highway 404,” the notice reads.
About three hours before the alert was issued, the city posted on its Facebook page that the Water Department would be cutting the water off along Highway 404 in Bellefontaine to repair a water line. In previous instances when a water line break was repaired, the city has issued boil-water alerts for precautionary measures.
When a distribution system loses pressure, contaminants can
siphon back into the water. Public health officials consider any
system that loses pressure contaminated until tests prove
otherwise. Health officials strongly recommend that all water be
boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed.
The water system will be notified when tests show that the water is safe to drink.
Additionally, the town of Maben issued a boil-water alert March 18 for about 850 customers who are served by its water supply in Oktibbeha County. That notice had not been lifted as of Monday afternoon either.
Checklist for Safe Water Use
DO NOT
• Do not drink tap water while the water system is under a boil water advisory.
• 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 boiled water. Freezing will not necessarily kill harmful bacteria.
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices or fountain soft drinks.
DO
• Wash your dishes in boiled water, or use paper plates for the next few days.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water since they may have been exposed to affected water from grocery store sprayers.
• Wash your hands and bathe as usual. Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed.
• Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water.
• Cook with tap water if the food will be boiled for at least one minute.
