JC boil order issued

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A ruptured 6-inch water main at Missouri American Water left most of its 11,000 customers without water Tuesday morning, causing schools to let out early and many employers to send their workers home.

Gilbert Cole, Missouri American’s operations superintendent, said the rupture occurred about 7:55 a.m. He said no water damage was caused to the company’s operations.

Although water pressure is back, the city will be under a boil order for 24 hours after Missouri American completes the required water testing.

That means the boil order could last for the next two or three days, Cole said.

“Basically, we are sorry it happened,” Cole said. “But it’s an old system, and we’ve got it under control, and we’ll have water very shortly. In the meantime, we are getting some water from districts 1 and 2, but it’s not their normal pressure.”

That water still could be contaminated, and Gilbert advised people to still boil the water.

Missouri American provides water to about 75 percent of the city, with the two water districts supplying the remaining 25 percent.

Cole said Missouri American has contracted with Opies Transport to bring tankers of water to supply the two local hospitals, which have the most critical need for water in the city.

The water system that failed was a more than 90-year-old relief valve system, not part of the recent renovations to the system.

Rather than sending high pressure through the lines periodically when parts of the system are turned off and on, the relief system sends the quick bursts of pressure into Missouri American’s clear wells, which is the water that has already been purified.

Some businesses, library close

Missouri River Regional Library announced it would close at noon today due to the water line break. The library is expected to resume regular business hours Wednesday.

Jefferson City Medical Group closed at noon. JCMG plans to open for patients on Wednesday during normal business hours. Patients who had an appointment scheduled for today will be contacted to reschedule, officials said.

Nichols Career Center cancelled their Tuesday evening classes.

Capitol City Children’s Choir practice is cancelled this evening.

Many downtown restaurants are trying to make do with the water outage and keep their doors open today.

Downtown restaurants remaining open include:

Madison’s Cafe

Downtown Diner

Subway

Tolson’s

Spectator’s

Bones in the Alley

Cafe Via Roma

Those closed by midday include:

Arris’ Pizza

Chez Monet

J. Pfenny’s Sports Grill & Pub

Coffee Zone

Grand Cafe closed for lunch, but is planning to open again at 5 p.m.

Earlier posted story ...

A 90-year-old pipe that leaves the Missouri American Water treatment plant on West Main Street broke around 8:05 a.m., Tuesday.

This left most homes and business with low pressure and caused a boil order to be issued.

Cole County Public Water District's #1 and #2 have interconnected pipes with the Missouri American system and they are helping to provide water.

That's causing pressure to go up in some areas.

Missouri American officials said they will have to flush out the system, bringing in crews from St. Louis to help.

They will have to take samples to make sure quality of water isn't compromised and won't know that for a while the results, meaning the boil order could be for an extended period of time.

Customers living in the boil advisory area need to bring their water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Tap water is okay for washing/bathing.

The boil advisory will be in effect until water quality samples confirm that the water remains safe for consumption.

Boil advisories normally last 24 to 36 hours after repairs are completed.

Customers will be notified when the boil water advisory is lifted.

Customers may call Missouri American Water’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-866-430-0820 for more information.

Customers living in the boil advisory area need to bring their water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Tap water is okay for washing/bathing.

The Cole County Jail, Truman Building and other major facilities are all affected by reduced pressure from the outage.

None of the four public water districts in Cole County are affected by this, only Missouri American.

Helias High School announced they were letting classes out at 10 a.m. due to the break. St. Joseph is dismissing at 10:30 a.m. and Immaculate Conception is dismissing at 11 a.m.

Kirchner State School is also letting classes out immediately due to the break.

Jefferson City Public Schools will dismiss schools three and half hours from the time school started. So, if your child’s school started at 8 a.m., they will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.; if the school started at 8:30 a.m. they will dismiss at noon, and if school started at 9 a.m. they will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. Buses will run regular routes.

St. Peter's will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.

The Cole County Commission issued an emergency order closing only those county facilities affected by the water problem.

Emergency personnel, as determined by department heads or elected officials are expected to remain at work.

Jefferson City Fire Department Spokesman Jason Turner said, “It’s been business as usual despite the break. We’ve reached out to neighboring department to let them know we may need tankers. We also called in some off-duty personnel to possibly man additional equipment. We also assisted both St. Mary’s and Capital Region Hospitals with their needs.”

Capital Region Hospital reported they had delivered bottled water to all their patients. The fire department provided water to make sure that toilets can work for the time being. Hospital officials also reported that if they needed, Opie’ s Truck Transport does have water trucks that can bring water to their facilities.

Some businesses decided to close because of the break.

Chez Monet announced on their Facebook page that they would close around 10:15 a.m.

In a tweet to their customers, Capital City Cork said, "We've used our last drop. No lunch service today."

More like this story

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Hope they fix it. Our rates are so very high, but yet water mains break almost every day in this town. They really need to rebuild parts of the very old system.

It is a shame that in this day and age we cannot rely on our water service.

cinkisses 6 months, 4 weeks ago

The cole county jail is transporting in water for the inmates. Funny employees in the Truman Building can't even get a glass from the fountain due to the boil order. isn't there OSHA regulations against that?

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Ask your union steward!

RobHunterJohnson 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Is that part of all that new wor they just completed? Rob

joyboo 6 months, 4 weeks ago

It is not just downtown. The west side of town on 179 is out as well.

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Wonder if the restaurants will be allowed to open if they don't have water for sanitation?

goodcitizen 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Probably!

RobHunterJohnson 6 months, 4 weeks ago

The water co needs to say how long? Rob

jcmo12345 6 months, 4 weeks ago

It is said it will be fixed this afternoon...at least the internet isn't down!

newone 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I heard the schools are releasing the kids, is this true?

TickledPink 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Yes, all JC schools are being released 3 1/2 hrs after their start time.

MsEMS 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I hope they get this taken care of soon. I have never been in a situation where I had to boil my water, hope I remember!

corndog 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Guess American Water will need to raise our rates another $30 a month to improve the infrastructure. I feel bad for the people whose pocketbooks are directly affected by this (small businesses, people who don't have benefits who have to leave work to get their kids).

I guess I should have put some buckets and pots and pans out to catch rainwater before I left for work.

MO4LIFE 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Truman Building has over 2000 people in the building and only 1st and 2nd floor bathrooms are open and are not flushing well. State will not close bldg. Can you say Major Sanitary Health Hazard!!!!! Where is the Health dept to close down buildings when you need them.

cindy colbert 6 months, 4 weeks ago

newone 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Not sure why the building needs to shut down, I work in the building and they have the bathroom's open on 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor, between 8-10 bathrooms for each sex on all each of the floors, how is that a health hazard? They are flushing and they are all clean so I am not sure what the complaint is, the only bad part is the line.

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

BOOM!

MsBrazito 6 months, 4 weeks ago

We need to let the state buildings out. 75% live in rural areas or areas without American Water and they won't stress the system until its fixed. Port-a-potties are not a suitable option

MsEMS 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I just got a call at 11:30 some of the DOC offices have closed.

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Looks like our state workers are very busy complaining on a message board instead of what they're suppose to be doing. Don't you have work to do? Seriously?

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

They can't work when they are thirsty and have to pee.

Don't you have anything better to do than complain about comments on a comment board?

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Pot meet kettle? I'm sure the conditions are just horrific.

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Who knows? I doubt if they are euphoric...

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I've worked construction for 13 years and we go everyday without running water and use porta potties. We get by just fine.

cinkisses 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I would assume you had bottled water or some sort of drinking water available to you in enough quantities for each employee however correct? And not flusing toilets (and i believe theres only.... 7 - 10/ per gender total stalls open for all 1500-2000 people to use) can get a little nasty.

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

No it's not mandatory for anyone to provide drinking water. We usually bring it ourselves. The water was not out for long enough for the toilets to get nasty and you can't tell me everyone there is just dying of thirst because a drinking fountain doesn't work. I'm sure everyone just relies on the drinking fountains everyday.

newone 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Are you talking about the Truman Bldg cinkisses? If you are then thier are more than 7-10 bathrooms per sex in the building, the first three floors are opened and each floor has between 7-10 bathrooms for each sex and I have not seen a "nasty" bathroom stall all day.

newone 6 months, 4 weeks ago

but the thing is tigger2118c we don't have porta potties, should they just go on the floor? I am blessed to be in a building that has some water but some are not so lucky.

tigger2118c 6 months, 4 weeks ago

You should really get back to work then.

newone 6 months, 3 weeks ago

it's called a "break" dude!

spelchek 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Work smarter, not harder.

MO4LIFE 6 months, 4 weeks ago

off work today luckily!

midmo988 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Stay thirsty, my friends.

yamahamian 6 months, 4 weeks ago

We are all SOOOOO impressed with you Tigger.

MsBrazito 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Conditions are horrific when people HAD to answer Nature's call and were unable to leave the building. Can we all agree that port a potties are one of the worst smells possible? Now take that and multiply it by 20 and place it all over an office building full of people who are unable to wash their hands with soap and hot water... Now lets nit pick about the fact that state workers are outraged and want someone to hear it and fix it.

JCLifer 6 months, 4 weeks ago

And the Truman Building has very poor ventilation of fresh air. I remember back when it first opened and people were passing out all the time due to lack of oxygwn. Bet it did stink in there today.

spelchek 6 months, 3 weeks ago

That's right. All the smoke in the atrium went up and collected thus making people sick. Brilliant.

RobHunterJohnson 6 months, 3 weeks ago

How much did this event cost the people of Jefferson City? At least 2 fire trucks and a couple 4 wheel vehicles on location all morning? State Production, Small Business closings, and people leaving work to pick up kids? I'm sure the impact was wildly felt all across town! Why do we have 90 year old pipes on a primary systems? The system is old and delivers all through town, the water company has been upgrading, but at the SOURCE? One has to ask why? My bill was at least $80.00 this summer, coupled with a $26.00 sewer charge a month, and last month $48.00 with a $26.00 Sewer charge! I would think we should be getting better from Missouri American Water (our water company)! The Missouri Americans crew did a great job getting this problem under control in a timely manner, but why did this problem present itself in the first place? Remember when we lost all that water out of our State Capital Building, was that not for a lack of a valve? How about some redundant (safety) systems? For Maintenance 90 years from now! Rob

JCLifer 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Good point, Rob. I have wondered why they spent millions of dollars upgrading the source of the water, when it would be so much cheaper and easier to just close the river water treatment plant and drill some wells. Well water is a lot cleaner, and some towns along the river are converting from river water to wells (Cape Girardeau finished last year). River water is getting more and more expensive to treat, and many contaminants like pesticides, prescription drugs flushed down the toilet, antibiotics, etc. cannot be easily removed from the water.

The best thing for the customers in the long run would be to convert to cleaner well water and upgrade the distribution system. It does not comfort me to know that my health and fire protection for my home are dependent on 90 year old pipes and treatment plant.

Or login with:

OpenID