The City of Great Bend has released an update on the Boil Water Advisory for the east side of town that went into effect on Wednesday. The City responded to the issue and is waiting for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to rescind the advisory.

Here is the latest news release:

Following a contractor bore strike on Wednesday on a water main in the 700 block of 10th Street, City of Great Bend Utility crews were dispatched to the area. A drop in water pressure was observed, primarily affecting the southeast area of the community.

Utility crews were able to quickly isolate the damaged main and begin repairs. Repairs, system flushing, and verification of chlorine residuals were completed at approximately 11 p.m.

At 6 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, Utilities laboratory personnel began collecting the 15 required bacteriological samples from throughout the affected area. The samples were then transported to the KDHE laboratory in Topeka for analysis.

The City of Great Bend does not have the authority to rescind the boil water advisory.

The advisory will remain in effect while we await the required laboratory results and KDHE confirmation that the advisory may be lifted.

We understand the inconvenience a boil water advisory creates and we greatly appreciate the community’s patience while the required testing process is completed.

As additional information and test results become available, the City will provide updates to the public.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-793-4170, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.