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HomeNewsState Agencies Urge Water Conservation, Health and Safety Measures in Flooded Areas

State Agencies Urge Water Conservation, Health and Safety Measures in Flooded Areas

While Clarksville’s water supply is fully functional, our sewer system is not. So please try to limit water usage as anything you flush currently goes right into the river. Please defer washing clothes, operating dishwashers and other high water volume activities to limit water sent into the sewer system.

As residents in many Tennessee counties work to move forward in the aftermath of this past weekend’s devastating storms, the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation remind citizens to take precautions to stay healthy.

While most municipal drinking water utilities are reporting their water is meeting safe drinking water standards, several water systems are encountering problems, and it is vital that customers listen to the information local utilities and health departments are sharing regarding water supplies. The message may change relative to a specific water system due to breaks in distribution lines or an inability to maintain adequate water pressure in the distribution system. These kinds of problems can lead to potential issues of contamination.

The Department of Environment and Conservation is maintaining communications with local utilities and providing technical assistance. Currently, there are boil water advisories for the following water systems:

  • Brentwood (Williamson Co.)
  • Lexington Water System (Henderson Co.)
  • Poplar Grove Utility District (Tipton Co.)
  • Jackson Energy Authority (Madison Co.)
  • City of Trenton (Madison Co.)
  • Town of Michie (McNairy Co.)
  • Bon Aqua-Lyles Utility District (Hickman Co.) * TDEC has recommended an advisory
  • Centerville Water System (Hickman Co.) * TDEC has recommended an advisory
  • Waynesboro Water System (Wayne Co.)
  • Mt. Pleasant Water System, partial coverage area under advisory (Maury Co.)
  • Lobelville Water System (Perry Co.) * TDEC has recommended an advisory
  • Ridgewood Park Water System, partial coverage area under advisory (Giles Co.)

In addition to adhering to boil water advisories, it is critical that water customers in flooded areas who have water service adhere to water conservation measures in order to keep water service available.

This is particularly critical for people in Davidson and Williamson counties. One of Metro Nashville’s two water treatment plants is offline due to flooding, and Metro is asking residents to cut their water consumption by half. Harpeth Valley Utility District, which serves parts of Davidson and Williamson counties, is also currently operating at half capacity. The Department of Environment and Conservation strongly recommends all municipal water customers in counties affected by flooding practice water conservation measures for nonessential uses. This includes taking steps such as delaying clothes washing, running dishwashers, flushing toilets, washing cars, filling pools and hot tubs, etc.

Having an ample supply of clean drinking water is a top priority in an emergency situation. Local emergency management agencies can request assistance from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to secure
bottled water should that need arise. Local health officials and water systems are the best sources to answer questions about whether water in a specific area is safe to use.

Residents affected by boil water advisories or who have private wells and are experiencing cloudy well water may have to find a source of safe drinking water or know how to treat their water for use in certain activities, such as drinking, making ice, washing hands, and brushing teeth. Residents in areas affected by flooding should listen to local officials to find out if your water is safe and take the following precautions:

  • Avoid using water for drinking or other purposes unless you know it is safe.
  • Practice water conservation. Potentially contaminated tap water often can be made safe to drink by boiling, adding disinfectants or filtering.
  • Boil water if instructed. This is the preferred alternative for treating water at home for consumption cause it kills the widest variety of germs and pathogens. Bring water to a constant boil and boil for at least 1 minute. Let the water cool sufficiently before drinking.
  • If boiling is not possible, adding ordinary, unscented laundry bleach (at the rate of 1/8 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water) provides some treatment. Use bleach that does not have added scents, mix well, and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
  • If water is cloudy, strain it through a clean cloth or coffee filter before boiling or adding bleach. Contaminants often attach to the particles in the water.

It is important to note that the above treatment methods do not apply to flood waters. People should avoid contact with flood waters if at all possible, and floodwater should not be consumed, even with home treatment. In addition to safety considerations with swift currents, floodwater can contain sewage, petroleum products and other chemicals.

Wells that have been overtopped by floodwaters should only be used after floodwaters recede, then prior to use, the water withdrawn should not be used without boiling or adding bleach. The Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation can assist well owners with information on well disinfection. Please call the department toll-free at 888-891-TDEC (8332).

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