Boil Advisory Issued for Parts of Alexandria

Alexandria, Louisiana—Damage to a 12-inch water pipe Monday has resulted in the need for a boil water advisory for a small part of the city, according to Utility Director Michael Marcotte.

Because of this incident, the water in the affected area may have been compromised. The 12-inch water line was inadvertently damaged on New York Avenue near the Stratford Manor Subdivision when an AT&T worker failed to properly identify where the line was located.

Therefore, as a precaution, the Alexandria Water Department is issuing a boil advisory effective immediately. This boil advisory is to remain in effect until otherwise otherwise noted.

The boil water advisory is issued for businesses and residents located in the area described below:

Mahlay Drive; most of Gene Ball Drive; starting at intersection for Jeff Davis Drive; Gene Ball Ext.; Wells Boulevard; Cotton Gin Road until the I-49 Overpass; David Jones Street, also known as Old New York; Stratford Loop; Sugar House Road from intersection of Highway 71 (.S MacArthur Drive) to I-49 Overpass; and Carlyle Loop.

It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one-minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (Shaking can eliminate the flat taste of the water, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until otherwise notified.

After the boil advisory is lifted businesses and residences in the affected areas should do the following:

Run cold-water faucets for one minute;
Run drinking water fountains for one minute;
Flush automatic icemakers (make three batches of ice and discard);
Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle;
Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.