WOODWARD, Iowa — The city of Woodward will soon be under a boil notice, according to Mayor Todd Folkerts.
“We have had a break in a main and have to turn water off to repair it,” Folkerts said Monday evening. “We will have water restored tonight, but it will be under a boil notice until we have tested and received the all clear.”
Water has been restored, the mayor said, but some residents will still be experiencing an outage while city crews open fire hydrants to release air in the lines.
Residents in the affected area should boil water as a precaution. Bring all water used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth or preparing food to a boil, and then let it boil for one minute before cooling and using. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Residents may also use bottled water during the temporary boil order.
Tap water can still be used for bathing and similar purposes, the city said.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
When Woodward’s water service is restored, there may be air in residents’ water piping, and the water may be discolored. It is recommended that residents run the first water from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape.
Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until it is clear. The water may be cloudy at first due to air in the water or particles that dislodged as the pipes filled with water. This should clear fairly quickly.
If water is cloudy throughout the house and it does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, contact the Woodward Water Works at 515-438-2560.
This boil advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. Residents will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted. The Woodward authorities are working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation.
