Water main break led KC Water to issue precautionary boil advisory, officials say

A water main break was the cause of a precautionary boil water advisory implemented Wednesday morning in some parts of Kansas City, officials said.

Wes Minder, director of KC Water, said the utility reduced production when a water main broke near the water treatment plant at 1 Northwest Briarcliff Road. Water pressure decreased for about an hour as crews made repairs.

An advisory was put in place for customers in the Northeast Industrial District and parts of the Historic Old Northeast, Union Hill and Longfellow neighborhoods in case any water had leaked and then made its way back into the system with outside contaminants, Minder said.

KC Water is awaiting the results of a bacteria test and must keep the precautionary boil water advisory in place for at least 24 hours, per state law, in case the water supply could be contaminated, Minder said.

The utility will alert residents when a cancellation notice is issued. Anyone who wants to receive updates by text or email must sign up for Water KC updates on the Alert KC website. Residents can also download the Everbridge App in the Apple Store or Google Play for updates.

KC Water recommends that customers living in the affected areas boil tap water vigorously for three minutes before using it to drink, cook or prepare food, and water boiled for cooking can also be used to brush teeth. Allow the water to cool completely before drinking it.

Any ice made with unboiled tap water should not be used for drinking. To clean dishes and food contact surfaces, disinfect tap water with one teaspoon of household bleach per gallon of water.

Tap water is safe for other purposes like bathing, but children should be discouraged from drinking bath water.