Keiser, Arkansas – Residents of Keiser are being asked to boil their water after a malfunction in the city’s water chlorination system prompted officials to issue an emergency boil order Wednesday.
Keiser Mayor Rick Creecy announced that the order took effect immediately as crews began working to repair the problem. The city is also arranging a temporary water supply from Osceola while repairs are underway.
Officials said the temporary connection is expected to keep the disruption relatively brief as the city’s regular water system is brought back into normal operation.
“Because of this temporary supply connection, this boil order is expected to be short-lived while our system is restored to normal operation,” Creecy said in a news release.
Until the order is lifted, residents should take precautions before using tap water for drinking or other purposes that involve consumption. The city advises residents to bring water to a full boil and keep it boiling for at least one minute before using it.
Bottled water can also be used instead of boiled tap water. Residents should pay particular attention to water used for drinking, cooking and preparing food.
The city’s guidance also includes a warning about ice. Any ice cubes made from tap water before or during the boil order should be thrown away. Residents should use boiled or bottled water when making new ice.
“All ice cubes should be discarded and only boiled or bottled water should be used for making ice,” Creecy said. “Bottled water may be used as an alternative.”
Not every household use of tap water is prohibited under the order. According to Creecy, residents can generally continue using the water for bathing, doing laundry and flushing toilets.
However, officials are urging residents to take extra precautions around people who may be more vulnerable to potential water safety issues. That includes infants, elderly residents and people with weakened immune systems.
The boil order will remain in place while the city works to restore its chlorination system and returns to its regular water supply. Crews are expected to continue repairs while the temporary connection from Osceola is being used.
Creecy said the order will not be lifted simply because repairs have been completed. The city’s water must first meet the safety requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Health.
The situation means Keiser residents will need to rely on boiled or bottled water for drinking and other consumption-related uses until officials confirm that the system is safe.
For now, city officials are asking residents to follow the boil order and wait for an official announcement before returning to normal tap-water use. Once testing confirms that the water meets Arkansas Department of Health standards, the boil order will be lifted.
The city expects the temporary water arrangement to help limit the length of the disruption, but residents should continue following the safety guidance until officials formally announce that the order has ended.
