The city of Charleston has issued a precautionary boil water alert for customers who receive their drinking water from their water supply located in Tallahatchie County.
The boil water alert is being issued in response to system-wide pressure loss due to inclement weather.
The alert covers customers of both the Charleston Water Department and the East Charleston Water Association.
Once samples have been cleared by the Mississippi State Department of Health, the boil water alert will be lifted.
When a distribution system loses pressure, contaminants can siphon back into the water. Public health officials consider any system that loses pressure contaminated until tests prove otherwise. Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed.
Mississippi State Department of Health Checklist for Safe Water Use
DO NOT:
» Do not drink tap water while the water system is under a boil water advisory.
» Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the affected system.
» Do not use ice unless it has been made with boiled water. Freezing will not necessarily kill harmful bacteria.
» Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.
DO:
» Wash your dishes in boiled water, or use paper plates for the next few days.
» Wash your fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water since they may have been exposed to affected water from grocery store sprayers.
» Wash your hands and bathe as usual. Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed.
» Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water.
» Cook with tap water if the food will be boiled for at least one minute.
AND REMEMBER:
Properly chlorinated water in swimming pools is safe.
Fish in aquariums are not affected.
Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will inactivate all major types of harmful bacteria.
When your boil-water notice is lifted:
Flush faucets for a total of 10 minutes to introduce system water throughout house plumbing.
Example:
1 faucet — run for 10 minutes
2 faucets — run both for 5 minutes
3 faucets — run each for 3-4 minutes
Flush any faucet a minimum of 2 minutes to ensure clearing of the line serving the faucet.
Discard any drinks, ice, food, etc, made during the boil water notice.
Rewash any food or drink contact items (knives, forks, plates, etc.) with "cleared" system water.
Check water filters (in faucets, refrigerators and elsewhere) and replace if necessary.
Do not use water from your hot water heater for drinking until several exchanges of the tank have occurred.
Run dishwasher through a cycle or two before washing dishes.
