HOISINGTON — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday rescinded a boil water advisory for Hoisington customers south of the railroad tracks, but customers north of the tracks remain under a separate advisory issued Tuesday.

The Tuesday advisory was issued after a loss of pressure due to a waterline leak. It will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The original boil water advisory, issued Friday, Oct. 16, covered customers south of the railroad tracks to Button Road, including the All Seasons Mobile Home Court. That advisory was prompted by a loss of pressure due to a well pump malfunction. Laboratory testing of water samples from the south side showed no evidence of bacteriological contamination, and KDHE officials deemed the conditions resolved.

Customers north of the railroad tracks should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• If tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

Only KDHE can issue a rescission order following testing at a certified laboratory. The city will notify customers when the advisory is lifted.

For questions, residents may contact the City of Hoisington water system at 620-653-4125 or KDHE at 785-296-5514.