A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for residents in Douglas County, NV, who get their water from East Valley Water System in the Skyline Service Area.
In a press release, Douglas County Public Works said that a temporary loss of pressure had caused the potential contamination of public water.
The boil water order was issued on Monday, July 19, and remains in place the following morning (Tuesday, July 20).
According to the notice, the local water supply has been re-established, but residents should drink bottled water or boil their water before drinking as a precaution.
Water tests require bacterial samples to be taken, and it takes a minimum of 24 hours for these results to come back. In the meantime, for public safety, the boil water notice will stay in place.
There have been no updates so far, except to clarify that the boil water notice doesn’t apply to town of Minden water users.
How does a lack of pressure cause contamination? It’s not clear whether a damaged pipe has caused a drop in pressure in the East Valley Water System. However, a drop in pressure is usually associated with a crack or damage to the structure of a pipe, which can cause contaminated groundwater to enter the system.
To learn more about how to stay safe when a boil water notice is issued, click here.
Residents are advised to call (775) 782 9908 for more information.
