Boil Water Advisory

The City of St. Marys is having some water lines replaced. 

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The city's water system consists of mains, valves, fire hydrants, water towers, etc. In order to make repairs or upgrades the water is usually turned off in small areas by closing valves (two valves are in the image below). 

Sometimes it is difficult to isolate an area by closing valves...so more valves get closed, and occasionally fire hydrants in the area are opened up to lessen the flow. And sometimes this doesn't even work - so the entire system is required to be shut down. When that happens the water pressure is reduced: "In Kansas, the minimum water pressure requirement for public water supply systems is 20 psi (pounds per square inch). This minimum pressure must be maintained throughout the distribution system under all conditions. Kansas also recommends a service range of 60 to 80 psi for public water supply systems..." 

When the system was turned off (4-21-25) the State of Kansas was notified and the Boil Water Advisory was issued. It was the loss of water pressure that triggered the boil water advisory. KDHE will send out containers for the city to collect water samples - the city takes them to the lab - and when the results come back - the advisory will be lifted. The timeframe is not know...but hopefully this week.

The loss of water pressure may allow for contaminants to enter the city's water system - the contaminants could enter at a broken line, a leaking line, and sometimes from a garden hose. And there are probably other examples/reasons...

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Below is an example of a water test that is done monthly. When the boil water advisory is lifted - a similar document will be sent...

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