EPPA Issues Boil Alert For Evansville

March 13, 2011

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - Vanderburgh County including the entire city of Evansville, parts of Gibson and Warrick Counties remain under a precautionary boil advisory Tuesday afternoon.

Tests continue on water taken from dozens of different locations in the greater Evansville area and aren't expected to be completed until Wednesday at the earliest.

Louisville water officials arrived Tuesday to help with sample collection.  They took those samples back to their lab, which is better able to detect certain bacteria.

Some of the results were expected back Tuesday night, but crews are required to do another round of testing tomorrow before they can lift the advisory.

The advisory is due to the elevated level of the Ohio River, which overflowed into a drinking water tank at the Water Filtration Plant, according to water plant officials.

Only those residents who get their water from the Evansville water system are affected by the boil advisory.

The potential of contamination of the drinking water and associated risk is very low.  However, Jim Garrard with the Evansville Water Plant says, "There could be viral and bacterial things that could cause upset stomach, and bowel issues."

Residents are encouraged to bring all drinking and cooking water to a boil for at least five minutes.

This advisory includes the following:

City of Evansville
Vanderburgh County
Haubstadt Water Department
Town of Cynthiana
City of Elberfeld
German Township water customers
Gibson Water Incorp. customers
ALL customers of companies who get their water from Evansville water 
Students at schools affected by the advisory will be told not to use the water fountains. Cafeteria workers will also take extra measures when preparing breakfast and lunch.