ALERTS

Level Yellow Water Conservation

May 26, 2023

Drinking Water Advisory

Level Yellow Press Release

Regional Water Rural Water District has declared “Level Yellow”, the second of a system of progressive levels within its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.  It announced today that the following mandatory nonessential water usage restriction measures are to be observed by the users of its Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System effective immediately.  These restrictions are in response to the continued system pressure issues which began on May 25^th. The affected area includes members and customers of the Association in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie Counties.  Included are the communities of Avoca, Portsmouth, Panama, Earling, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Exira, Persia, and Brayton.  Municipal, residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial users will be required to observe the following mandatory reduction measures:

1. No outdoors watering or irrigation of any kind between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. No watering or irrigation of lawns whatsoever.  Watering of flowers, vegetable gardens, trees or shrubs less than four years old, and new seedlings and sod is permitted once per week, with an application not to exceed one inch and only between the hours of 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM.
2. No car washing is allowed, except at commercial establishments that provide that service as their only means of income. In these cases, hours of use will be restricted to 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
3. No water shall be used to fill private swimming pools, children’s wading pools, or similar articles.
4. No water shall be used to clean streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc.
5. Large volume water users, including industries, motels, hotels, eating establishments, and livestock confinements may be requested to scale back services and/or production.
6. Schools are strongly urged to cancel their physical education activities and inter-scholastic competitions that require showers or attract crowds and take other actions to reduce water consumption.

The system is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation. For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.

Level Yellow Water Conservation

May 26, 2023

Drinking Water Advisory

Level Yellow Press Release

Regional Water Rural Water District has declared “Level Yellow”, the second of a system of progressive levels within its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.  It announced today that the following mandatory nonessential water usage restriction measures are to be observed by the users of its Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System effective immediately.  These restrictions are in response to the continued system pressure issues which began on May 25^th. The affected area includes members and customers of the Association in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie Counties.  Included are the communities of Avoca, Portsmouth, Panama, Earling, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Exira, Persia, and Brayton.  Municipal, residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial users will be required to observe the following mandatory reduction measures:

1. No outdoors watering or irrigation of any kind between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. No watering or irrigation of lawns whatsoever.  Watering of flowers, vegetable gardens, trees or shrubs less than four years old, and new seedlings and sod is permitted once per week, with an application not to exceed one inch and only between the hours of 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM.
2. No car washing is allowed, except at commercial establishments that provide that service as their only means of income. In these cases, hours of use will be restricted to 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
3. No water shall be used to fill private swimming pools, children’s wading pools, or similar articles.
4. No water shall be used to clean streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc.
5. Large volume water users, including industries, motels, hotels, eating establishments, and livestock confinements may be requested to scale back services and/or production.
6. Schools are strongly urged to cancel their physical education activities and inter-scholastic competitions that require showers or attract crowds and take other actions to reduce water consumption.

The system is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation. For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.

Boil Water Advisory

May 25, 2023

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY 

For the Avoca area Treatment Plant Customers. This does not affect Underwood, McClelland, and the rurals of these towns as they are on a different water system. 

Regional Water Rural Water District is recommending boiling the water before using for drinking or to use an alternative source.

Regional Water had a problem in the distribution system and the system lost pressure on May 25, 2023. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used. The pressure loss is affecting over half of our system, prompting the system-wide boil advisory.

IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes. If the water is colored, use an alternative source such as bottled water.

For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

When water service is restored, there may be air in your water piping and the water may be discolored. It is recommended to run the first water from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape. Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until it is clear. The water may be cloudy at first due to air in the water or particles that dislodged as the pipes filled with water. This should clear fairly quickly. If water is cloudy or colored throughout the house and it does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, use an alternative source such as bottled water and contact the person listed above.

The system is being repaired, repressurized, and bacteria samples will be collected. This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted.

The system is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation.

This notice is being sent to you by Regional Water.

PWSID: IA 8300184

May 25, 2023