More locations hit by Emporia water woes

Editor's Note: The City of Emporia has clarified that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was responsible for expanding the water boil advisory. We reported the issue was expected to be fixed by Friday but now the city expects it to be resolved over the weekend. Our article has been updated to reflect the change. We regret the error.

EMPORIA (KSNT) - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has expanded its water boil advisory impacting Emporia and parts of Lyon County that was implemented after a mechanical issue was found at the local water treatment plant.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, the city expanded its water boil advisory to Lyon County Rural Water District (RWD) 1, the City of Allen, Lyon County RWD 3 and the City of Admire. The advisory also includes the Lyon County RWD 2, Lyon County RWD 4, Lyon County RWD 5, City of Hartford, City of Olpe, Coffey County RWD 2E and Park Place Communities.

The city said that thanks to an in-house laboratory, Emporia will be able to quickly test water quality once systems are fully operational. The City of Emporia expects the boil water advisory will remain in effect until the weekend of Nov. 8-9, while staff work to repair the mechanical issues at the Water Treatment Plant.

"Once repairs are complete, water must filter through the entire system to flush out any affected water," the city wrote in a press release. "At this time, the City anticipates that Friday would be the soonest the boil water advisory could be lifted, though this timeline remains dependent on achieving KDHE compliance standards."

27 News spoke to Bruff's Bar and Grill in Emporia about the advisory and how the business is coping with the situation.

"Before 9 a.m. we were running around to stores trying to get all of our stuff for the restaurant and it was already gone," Kailee McGuire of Bruff's Bar and Grill said. "Within an hour and a half of them posting about it, everything was gone."

The KDHE advises residents to:

• Use bottled water or boil water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.
• Avoid using tap water for these purposes until further notice.
• Ensure all water used for consumption is brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Emporia Public Schools (EPS) said it would be taking precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of staff and students. EPS said water fountains would be unavailable during the water boil order. Bottled water will be available to staff and students. Food service staff will be taking extra precautions.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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