Water Boil Advisories/Orders

Water Boil Advisories and Orders

Please note: Columbia Water & Light staff will make every effort to post information about Boil Advisories/Orders on this page when staffing is available. See below for the customer notification process.

What is a Boil Advisory?

A Boil Advisory is issued by Columbia Water & Light when there is a water main break that causes the pressure to drop. A pressure drop could cause a backflow situation. This means there is a threat that a possible contaminant could be siphoned into the water distribution system. This requires water customers to boil their water for safety purposes. Boil Advisories normally last for one day and end after the water quality tests show no problems.

What is a Boil Order?

A Boil Order is issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources when there are known problems with the water supply. This requires water customers to boil their water for safety purposes. A Boil Order will last a minimum of two days to allow for water testing results to confirm the water is safe to drink.

What should I do during a Boil Advisory/Order?

A Boil Advisory is a precautionary measure. A Boil Order is for when there is known contamination. When either is called, customers are urged to take the following precautions:

Boil water for three minutes prior to using it for cooking or drinking.
Do not consume ice from an automatic ice maker. Remake ice with water that has been boiled for three minutes.
Wash dishes and food contact surfaces by immersing for one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water.

What is the customer notification procedure?

Customers Affected	Notifications	Time of Notification(s)
BOIL ADVISORY
Less than 50	Door Hang Tag Nixle (e-mail/text)	24 hours/day 24 hours/day
Between 50 and 200	Door Hang Tag Phone call Nixle (e-mail/text)	24 hours/day Between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM 24 hours/day
Greater than 200	Phone call Press/Media Nixle (e-mail/text)	Between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM Anytime 24 hours/day
BOIL ORDER
Any number	Phone call Press/Media Nixle (e-mail/text)	24 hours/day Between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM 24 hours/day

What is the fastest way to get information any time of the day?

The Nixle messaging service is the fastest way to receive notification. You can sign up for the

e-mail or text alert system by clicking here. Columbia Water & Light will make every effort to post information on the city’s web site when possible. Staffing and the time that the Boil Advisory/Order is called will affect posting information on the web site. A phone call will be made as listed above to the phone number listed on the water customer’s account.

What is Rapid Notify?

Rapid Notify is a phone calling system that the City of Columbia uses to alert citizens. Columbia Water & Light will collect phone numbers from customer accounts in the area where there is a Boil Advisory/Order and place a call during the daytime. Please make sure you have the correct phone number on file with the utility. You can update your contact information by clicking here.

Who regulates water utilities?

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency.

What causes water main breaks?

Columbia Water & Light maintains approximately 3.5 million feet of water distribution lines ranging from 1.5 inches to 36 inches in diameter. The utility has an on-going maintenance plan and strives to provide reliable water service. There are factors that can affect the system that are beyond the utility’s control. For example, Columbia’s soil has a high clay content which can shift when there is high moisture content and/or drastic temperature changes. This shifting can lead to the pipes in the ground moving which can cause breaks.

Is Columbia having more water main breaks than it used to?

The amount of water main breaks for the system has been less than two per week for the last 10 years. The average number of affected customers for each break is less than 20.

What are the state regulations for Boil Advisories?

One of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources recommendations from the 2010 Compliance and Operation Inspection states, “Anytime the pressure in the distribution system drops below 20 psi, the system must notify affected customers, issue a boil water advisory until further notification for the affected area and send our office a low pressure report within 48 hours of discovery.” To comply with the recommendations, a Boil Advisory will be issued to all affected customers for every main break where the system pressure drops below 20 psi.

Water Division Contact Information

After hours water or electric emergencies: 573-875-2555

Water Administration Office, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm: 573-874-6229

E-mail: WLMAIL@GoColumbiaMo.com

NOTE: e-mails are not usually answered after hours or on the weekends