Gregory C. Harris, Mayor of Chatham, announces that the boil advisory issued for consumers of the Chatham Water System on July 1, 2025, has been lifted.
After a Boil Water Advisory is lifted, it is advised that you flush your pipes by using the following procedure.
(1) Begin with the sink faucet on the lowest floor.
(2) Slowly open the cold water sink faucet. Opening slowly allows for the release of trapped air and may reduce the banging noise, known as a “water hammer,” that can occur when water flow and pressure changes as a result of water main repair work.
(3) Repeat on each floor, moving from lowest to highest, only opening cold water sink faucets.
(4) Once the water runs clear, usually in 5 minutes or less, turn off faucets in the same order, lowest to highest.
Additional precautions to take are:
Flush your refrigerator’s water lines.
If using ice makers, containers should be emptied and wiped clean with a solution of two tablespoons of bleach to one gallon of water then make and dispose of three batches of ice before using
Customers and businesses should also dispose of stored water, drinks, or ice made since the Boil Water Advisory.
Original Boil Advisory Issued for Chatham Water System Notice Published on 7/2/2025
Gregory C. Harris, Mayor of the Village of Chatham announces that the Chatham Water System has been placed under boil advisory by the Louisiana Department of Health because of a break in the main line. This boil advisory only affects Chatham Water Customers.
The break in the main line was caused by someone hitting a fire hydrant on Hwy 4.
Therefore, as a precaution, the Chatham Water System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Chatham Water System.
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container.
The one-minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.
Upon notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that the samples collected from our water supply have been found to be safe, the State Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results.
Upon such notification, the Chatham Water System will then rescind the Boil Advisory and notify its customers that the water has been found to be safe.