Mankato left without water after main breaks

At approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, the City of Mankato discovered a broken water main north east of Mankato on Q Road. The city was out of water by 11 p.m.

Crews worked all night repairing the break. Water was restored to customers at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday. However, since water pressure was lost, the state has mandated a boil water notice until laboratory samples come back clear and are approved by the state.

Mankato water is piped into town from a well field located north east of Webber. Because of the water shortage, school was not held Monday.

Monday the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a boil water advisory for the City of Mankato. This advisory is not related to COVID-19. Instead it is related to a water main break - see reporter's story and pictures in this issue.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• If tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

This advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system. A loss of pressure may lead to inadequate chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, contact the water system or KDHE at785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE's PWS Consumer Information webpage:http://www.kdheks. gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture's food safety and lodging programatkda.fsl@ ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.