By Vantage Staff
Newman students had to adjust their routines on Wednesday after the city of Wichita issued a rare boil water advisory, which happened after the city’s water plant and pump station lost power early Wednesday morning.
That meant that it was not safe to drink water from the tap unless it had been boiled for a full minute, and that requirement caused a few inconveniences around campus. Water fountains and ice machines could not be used safely, and in the dining hall, the soda machine was down. The staff distributed bottled water instead.
The advisory should last through Thursday afternoon at a minimum. City officials said at a news conference on Wednesday morning that they would send in water samples for testing but that it would take at least 24 hours to get results back. After that, they will determine if the advisory needs to continue.
On Wednesday morning, students received an email authored by Anthony Beata, vice president of finance and administration. It said that drinking fountains and ice machines were unavailable on campus and that Great Western Dining, which runs Mabee Dining Center, and the residents halls “were adjusting operations accordingly.”
During a boil water advisory, it’s still safe for people to shower and wash their hands using tap water unless they have several cuts or rashes.
Wichita officials are expected to share more information about the duration of the boil water advisory on Thursday afternoon. Until the advisory is lifted, the Newman community should continue to avoid drinking tap water unless it’s been boiled for one minute. They should also avoid ice cubes made by automatic ice makers.
The reason the power outage made drinking water unsafe: It caused a loss of water pressure, and when that happens, chlorine treatment can stop working and harmful bacteria and germs can enter the water supply, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Those who drink contaminated water may be exposed to germs like E. coli, Giardia and other viruses.
Wednesday’s advisory affected around 500,000 people in Wichita and the surrounding area. Bottled water was sold out at many local grocery stores on Wednesday, and dozens of restaurants and coffee shops closed their doors for the day.
PHOTO: Vantage Staff
