The Water Boil Advisory for the Town of Jonesboro that was issued on Saturday, July 20th, remains in effect. 

According to Jonesboro Mayor J. “Spike” Harris, low water pressure started being reported early Saturday morning, prompting an immediate response by the Town of Jonesboro Public Works Water Department.  Their swift action quickly identified a 20′ long crack in a major water main on Polk Avenue near the Jonesboro Council on Aging Robert Riddle Senior Center that had also caused the “high tank” to completely drain.

“I am pleased to announce that due to the fast work by our Public Works Department, we have been able to bring the water pressure back to full strength,” stated Harris at 3:30 pm on Saturday. “The Boil Advisory will remain in effect though until we receive notice from the Louisiana Dept. of Health (LDH) that the samples we sent for testing has been cleared.”

This is the third major breach of a main water line of the Jonesboro Water System in the last ten days, something that Harris says that can be expected until the transmission system is brought up to date.

“What we are experiencing is the result of dealing with water lines that date back to the 1950’s,” said Harris. “When the temperature starts rising, the old clay lined pipes tend to crack and burst. The good news is that a plan and procedure to alleviate this problem is in place to resolve this issue,” added Harris.

What to Do During a Boil Water Advisory

During a boil water advisory, bottled water is the best option until officials say otherwise. If you do not have bottled water available, the next best option is to boil your tap water to make it safe to drink. If boiling your tap water is not possible, you can disinfect it to make it safe to drink.

Water Filters

You should boil your tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. Filters collect germs from water, so all water filters should be replaced after the advisory has been lifted. Anyone
changing the cartridges should wear gloves and wash hands afterwards. Flush water through the filter for several minutes and then replace the removable part of the filter unit as needed.

Preparing and Cooking Food

Use bottled water or boiled water that has cooled to: wash all fruits and vegetables, cook food, prepare drinks such as coffee, tea, etc., wash food preparation surfaces.

Use of Ice

Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers. Throw out all ice made with tap water. Make new ice with bottled or boiled water.

Handwashing

In many situations, you can use tap water and soap to wash your hands. Follow the guidance of your local public health officials or emergency managers. Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water (warm or cold) for 20 seconds and rinse them well under running water. It is important to dry hands completely with a towel or by letting
them air dry.

Bathing and Showering

Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing Teeth

Brush teeth with bottled or boiled water that has cooled.

Washing Dishes

Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils, if possible. If you do not have disposable dishes, follow the instructions below. Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.
To wash dishes by hand:
o Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
o In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
o Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
o Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.

Laundry

It is safe to do laundry as usual.

Pet Care

Pets can get sick from the same germs as people. It is a good idea to give them bottled water or boiled water that has been cooled for drinking.