MANSFIELD — Maintenance issues at the water treatment plant have diminished capacity, leading the City of Mansfield to issue a citywide boil advisory, effective Tuesday at 7 a.m.
Initially, it was reported the boil advisory was in effect immediately.
“Due to a maintenance issue at the plant that has affected our pumping capabilities, it is necessary that we install a bypass pump temporarily while the issue is addressed,” Public Works Director David Remy said in an e-mail Monday night.
“Because the pipe that will go into the water for the bypass pump is a foreign object, it has a possibility of introducing bacteria into the water system. Any time there is a potential for contamination, a boil advisory is issued until bacteria samples are collected and tested to ensure the absence of bacteria,” Remy said.
“There is no problem with the current water quality and this is a precautionary measure for the potential of bacteria formation,” he said.
Remy said the boil advisory is planned for 24 hours and will be lifted on Wednesday at 7 a.m. unless otherwise announced.
A voluntary water conservation order late Monday afternoon has been lifted, Remy said Monday evening at the water treatment plant.
Remy, joined by city engineer Bob Bianchi and water treatment plant manager Bill Wallace, said, “We have learned things in the past hour” that make the conservation effort unnecessary.
Wallace had called for the boil advisory and conservation effort late Monday afternoon, saying maintenance issues at the water treatment plant had limited capacity.
His boil advisory e-mail stated:
“Due to a limited availability of water, organisms that cause illness in people may have entered the water supply. All consumers affected by the City of Mansfield water supply should take the following precautions:
“BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING OR USE BOTTLED WATER
“DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for at least 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, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
“Disease causing organisms can cause such symptoms as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. If you experience one or more of these symptoms and they persist, contact your doctor. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly people may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
“The City of Mansfield has no evidence at this time that the water system is contaminated. The possibility, however, does exist that the water system is contaminated and is issuing this advisory as a precaution.
“What is being done?
“We are investigating and taking the necessary steps to correct the problem as soon as possible,” the e-mail attachment said.
