Update: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Lyon County Rural Water District 1 water supply as of 1:38 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Laboratory testing samples collected from the Lyon County Rural Water District 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a boil water advisory for a portion of the Lyon County Rural Water District 1 public water supply system in Lyon County. The impacted customers are in the following areas:

• North of Road 290
• Those connected via the main along Road 290, west of Road F
• Road D at or north of Road 280
• City of Allen
• City of Bushong

Water users in these areas should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

The advisory took effect on Aug. 9, 2023, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of 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 more information, contact the water system at 620-341-9617, or KDHE at 785-296-5514; or for consumer information see KDHE PWS Consumer Information at kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption

Restaurants and other food establishments can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety and lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or 785-564-6767.

Information thanks to KDHE.