April 28, 2011 DHH Issues Boil NoticesSevere Weather Caused Problems for North Louisiana Water Systems

BATON ROUGE, Apr 28, 2011 - The Louisiana Department of Health has issued a boil notice for the following seven north Louisiana water systems:

Bienville Parish

• Taylor Water System

Jackson Parish

• Hancock Haven Water System
• Paradise Point Water System
• Spillway Estates Water System

Morehouse Parish

• Lakeview Water System

Ouachita Parish

• Love Estates Water System
• Suburban North Water System

This week's destructive storms knocked out power to these water systems, which resulted in a loss of pressure creating the potential for contaminants to enter the water line. State regulations require a boil notice following such an event to ensure the safety of drinking water. Residents should stay tuned to local media for information on boil notices in their areas.

If you live in an area under boil notice, have lost water pressure at your tap or if the water pressure is extremely low, State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry, MD, recommends homeowners disinfect their water by any one of the following methods prior to consumption (including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing food):

• Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one minute boil time begins after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.)
• If the water is clear, mix 1/8 teaspoon of unscented, liquid chlorine laundry bleach with one gallon of water and let it stand for at least 30 minutes prior to consumption.
• If the water is cloudy or colored, use 1/4 teaspoon of unscented, liquid chlorine laundry bleach per gallon of water. Be sure to mix thoroughly.

If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

Boiling is the most effective method to disinfect water, particularly for people who are severely immunocompromised (infected with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, or people born with a weakened immune system) and for infants and elderly who wish to take extra precautions.

People obtaining water from a public water system under a boil notice must continue to disinfect their drinking water by one of the above listed methods until notified by your water system or the Department of Health that the water has been tested and is safe to drink.

People who have been affected by loss of water service may expect some irregularities with their water while efforts are being made to ensure that the water is safe. It is expected that water may have an unusual chlorine odor as well as possible sediments appearing in the water while these special precautions are taking place. Flushing household taps for a few minutes should fix these problems.

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook page.