Turbidity, which can cause a variety of health issues, continues to plague Edmonson Co. Water District Wax area customers

wax-water-treatment-plant
wax-water-treatment-plant

The Edmonson County Water District has issued a statement alerting customers in Wax and Hart County that the Boil Water Advisory issued on January 25, due to turbidity, remains in effect.

“We are working diligently to remedy this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working closely with the Division of Water and an additional outside chemical professional to resolve the issue,” the ECWD said.

The water district recommends that customers bring all water to a boil for one minute and then let it cool before using, or use bottled water.

Boiled or bottled water, the ECWD said, should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice, as boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

“Turbidity,” according to Datastream.org, “is a measure of water clarity. It describes the amount of light scattered or blocked by particles floating in the water. These particles cause the water to look cloudy or murky. In rivers and lakes, these particles can come from algae and other plant material, soils, silt and clay, and other substances in the water like salts, minerals and metals.”

Turbidity generally has no health effects, however, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a place for microbial growth, and may also indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms, the ECWD said.

These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, one may want to seek medical advice.

**People at increased risk should seek advice from their healthcare providers about drinking the water. 

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

(Photo: The Edmonson County Water Treatment Plant at Wax, courtesy of the The Courier-Journal)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com