PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE
The Phenix City water system lost pressure in the distribution system along or near US 80 west of Auburn Road and along Auburn Road
BOIL YOUR WATER FOR THREE MINUTES BEFORE USING
Bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for at least three (3) minutes, and cool before using. Or use bottled water suitable for drinking. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice. ALL STORED WATER, DRINK OR ICE MADE RECENTLY FROM THIS SUPPLY SHALL BE DISCARDED.
This Boil Water Notice applies to areas which had no water pressure April 2 to 3, 2018 along, north of and south of US 80 west of Auburn Road and along Auburn Road.
Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
What Happened?
On Monday, April 2, 2018, the water system lost pressure due to a pipe rupture along US 80. This led to a loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause backpressure, backsiphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems. Such a system failure carries with it a potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system. These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.
What is being done?
The water main has been repaired. Samples of the water in the affected area are being taken and will be tested for bacteria. After the test results indicate no bacteria, you will be notified that the water is safe to drink and use as normal.
It is likely that you will need to boil water for the next 2-3 days until the test results for two days indicate the bacteriological tests pass for two days. You will be informed when tests show that you no longer need to boil your water.
For more information, please contact:
Phenix City Utilities Dispatch (334-448-2903) or Phenix City Water Filtration Plant (334-291-4757)
Please share this information with other people who drink this water, especially anyone who may not get this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
View the official notice.
UPDATE: 4/5/2018
The first round of bacteriological test results have shown no signs of contaminated waters. The city will continue to test today and tomorrow. The second round of bacteriological test results will be ready later today, and for added certainty a third round of test samples are being taken today and will be ready later tomorrow. The precautionary boil water notice is still in effect until these tests are complete, and we will share the results as soon as they become available.
View the provided map of the potentially affected area. Please note that some customers within this area may be on Smiths or Russell water, and therefore not affected. This applies to Phenix City Utilities customers only.
