By James Bell
Hays Post

Residents in Schoenchen have been asked to boil any water to be used for consumption after a water main break caused a lack of pressure in the city’s water system.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the boil water advisory Tuesday for the public water supply noting “a loss of chlorine residuals, and bacterial contamination” may occur when pressure in the system drops.

The advisory will remain in effect until pressure is restored and conditions that put the system at risk are resolved.

The KDHE will only rescind the order once testing has occurred at a certified laboratory.

Until that time the KDHE is asking Schoenchen residents to follow these precautions:

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