Shoshoni residents and business owners are being advised to boil their water before drinking it this week.
A water main break on April 2nd led to the loss of pressure in the system. There is now the potential of contaminated water because of the break.
Shoshoni School canceled classes Tuesday because of the break, but classes resumed as normal Wednesday.
According to Shoshoni Schools, donations of bottled water arrived Wednesday morning for students and staff to use during the interim.
The City of Shoshoni released the following statement to residents Wednesday:
Water should be turned back on the evening of April 2nd, but please use sparingly.
Town of Shoshoni’s water system lost pressure in the distribution system
BOIL YOUR WATER FOR THREE MINUTES BEFORE USING
The Town of Shoshoni’s water system was shut down on April 02, 2019 due to a 10” main water line break. This led to a loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause back pressure, back siphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems. Such a system failure carries with it a high potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system. These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.
What should I do?
- DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least (3) three minutes, 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. ALL STORED WATER, DRINK OR ICE MADE RECENTLY FROM THIS SUPPLY SHALL BE DISCARDED.
- Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
- The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
What happened? What is being done? 10” main waterline breakage. EPA has been contacted and is working with the Town to bring back safe drinking water. The waterline is being repaired and being tested for safety as per EPA requirements.
Bottle water is available at the Shoshoni Fire Hall Community Room – 104 E. 2nd. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. After hours call – 307-840-0056 or 307-480-0028
We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. For more information, please contact Town Hall at 307-876-2515 or PO Box 267 Shoshoni, Wy. 82649
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by Town of Shoshoni
