Health alert: Boil water notice issued for parts of Phenix City after water leak

Phenix City officials have issued a precautionary boil water notice for several parts of the city following the discovery of what their news release describes as a severe water leak Saturday.

The leak required an emergency shutdown of water service in certain areas, resulting in a loss of pressure in the water distribution system, according to the news release posted on the city’s website. Officials said this pressure drop may allow contaminants to enter the system, posing substantial health risks.

Impacted areas include:

• 12th Avenue from 14th Place to 17th Street

• 14th Place

• 15th Street

• 15th Place

• 17th Street near 12th Avenue

• Surrounding neighborhoods and adjacent streets.

Until further notice, residents in the affected areas are being advised to boil tap water for at least three minutes before using or switch to bottled water for:

• Drinking

• Making ice

• Brushing teeth

• Washing dishes

• Preparing food.

Any stored water, ice or beverages recently made with tap water should be discarded, the Phenix City Utilities Department said in a Saturday news release.

The city is working to repair the water main and test samples of water in affected areas for bacteria. Residents will need to continue boiling their water for a few days. The notice will remain active until two consecutive days of testing show the water is safe to drink. After the water passes those tests, residents officially will be notified that they no longer have to boil it, the news release says.

Residents should follow the advisories until they have been informed the notice is lifted. According to the news release, inadequately treated water can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that pose significant health risks. Infants, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune symptoms especially are vulnerable.

These organisms can cause symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea

• Cramps

• Nausea

• Headaches.

Officials urge residents to share this information with others who drink water in the affected areas.

For more information, call the Phenix City Utilities Dispatch at 334-448-2903 or the Phenix City Water Filter Plant at 334-291-4757.