Information About Boil Alerts and Water Main Breaks:
Boil Alerts: Boil Alerts happen most often when a water main breaks and it has to be de-pressurized for repair. OEPA mandates that boil alerts be issued any time a distribution main is taken down below 20 psi. (pressure in pounds per square inch). Typically, only one block of customers are affected by a main break. The Public Works employees are able to shut valves in the system to minimize the number of customers out of service. The Public Works Department utilizes a tag system to notify customers affected by a boil alert and to notify customers when the alert has been lifted. The tag to issue a boil alert is red and contains specific instructions to ensure your safety. When the alert is canceled, a blue tag is issued.
Broken water mains can quickly cause severe erosion, damage to streets and property. In some cases, they can drain the reserve water in the elevated towers and the supply in storage at the Water Treatment Plant. Therefore, Public Works personnel focus their efforts in these emergencies to shutting down the leaking section and repairing the problem as soon as possible. If you suddenly notice there is no water flowing or the flow is greatly reduced, chances are you are affected by a main break. The Public Works Department strives to restore your service as fast as possible. If this occurs at your residence or place of business, look for a red tag on the front door. Once the repairs are made, these tags are placed on the affected doors before our personnel leave the job-site.
A bacteria sample is collected from the area of the break and taken to the lab for analysis. Once at the lab it takes a minimum of twenty four hours for the sample to be read. The sample must pass the test for the boil alert to be removed. So, the minimum amount of time a boil alert will be in effect is a little over twenty four hours. A second tag will be placed on the front door as soon as the all clear can be issued (blue tag). This tag clearly states that the alert is over and it is ok to resume your normal water use practices. If you temporarily loose service and do not receive an alert tag (or other notice of disconnection), please contact the Public Works Department at 419-335-8376 or the Police Department after hours and on weekends and holidays.
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