Boil water order issued for Essex | Health

STODDARD COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has issued a boil water order for the city of Essex, located in Stoddard County.

Department officials declared the order due to problems with aeration pumps and a detention basin.

The order took effect on September 10 and will be in effect until water samples indicate that the contaminant is no longer present. Public water personnel will keep sampling the water until they determine that it is safe to drink.

Anyone served by the affected public water system should take the following precautions:

• Boil water vigorously for three minutes prior to use for cooking or drinking.
• Disinfect food contact surfaces (dishes) by immersing them for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and remake with water that has been boiled.
• Continue boiling all water that is to be used for cooking and drinking until the cause of the contamination has been found and corrected.
• Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled.

The Department of Natural Resources says it will notify area media when the boil order is lifted.

For more information, call Dennis Carmack, Water Supervisor, at 573-625-9886.