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Boil water advisory for south Hoisington
boil water advisory

HOISINGTON, KAN. — A boil water advisory has been issued for portions of the City of Hoisington public water supply system in Barton County, effective Friday, October 16, 2026. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued the advisory after a well pump malfunction overnight caused a loss of pressure in the city's water system south of the railroad tracks.

What Happened

According to release from city officials, well No. 4 failed during the night, and the alarm and call-out system also failed, preventing staff from being alerted immediately. With the well out of service, the water level in the booster tower south of the tracks dropped, resulting in a loss of pressure to the system serving that area. City staff confirmed the pressure fell low enough to require a boil water advisory.

A loss of adequate pressure can lead to reduced chlorine levels and the potential for bacterial contamination. The City contacted KDHE Friday morning, and it was determined the advisory should be issued. The City is working with KDHE to ensure all appropriate steps are being taken to protect residents and customers.

Who Is Affected

The advisory applies to all City of Hoisington water customers located south of the railroad tracks to Button Road. It also includes the All Seasons Mobile Home Court located in Barton County.

Customers north of the tracks are not affected. The following businesses south of the tracks are also not impacted by the advisory: Roto-Mix, Birzer Repair, Sundown AgriSupply, Cardinal Storage and Yummy's Donut Palace.

Precautions for Affected Customers

Customers in the advisory area should observe the following precautions until further notice:

  • Drinking and cooking: Boil water for one minute before drinking or preparing food, or use bottled water.
  • Ice: Dispose of existing ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
  • Dirty water: If tap water appears dirty, flush the lines by letting the water run until it clears.
  • Dishes and food surfaces: Disinfect by immersing for at least one minute in clean tap water containing one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
  • Bathing: Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervise children while bathing to ensure water is not swallowed. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physician.

When Will the Advisory Be Lifted?

The boil water advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. Only KDHE can rescind the advisory, following testing at a certified laboratory. The City will notify customers when the advisory has been lifted.

Contact Information

For questions, residents may contact the City of Hoisington water system at 620-653-4125 or KDHE at 785-296-5514. Consumer information is available on the KDHE Public Water Supply Consumer Information webpage.

Restaurants and other food establishments with questions about how the advisory affects their operations can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Food Safety & Lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or 785-564-6767.