A precautionary boil water notice was activated in West Helena, Arkansas by the town's mayor on Friday. Mayor Christopher Franklin made a social media post in which he described a plan of action made between various officials from West Helena.
"We have sent to Little Rock to get the materials required and approved by the health department to seal the cracks and eliminate any potential for contamination," Franklin said in the post. "Tomorrow [Saturday], we will make the repairs and begin the sample pulling process."
Follow these recommended steps if you live in the affected area:
- Run all faucets for two minutes.
- Throw away any drinks, ice or food made during the boil water notice.
- Re-wash any food or silverware.
- Check your water filters and replace if necessary.
- Do not use water from your hot water heater for drinking until several exchanges of the tank have happened.
- Run your dishwasher through a cycle before washing dishes.
Franklin said they will be working through the holiday to resolve this issue. He said that the town cannot remove the boil order until they have two consecutive days of good samples submitted, tested and confirmed to be free of contamination.
He added that they have not had a failed sample and that this is precautionary.
