Boil water notice caused by cleaning error

MADISON — The precautionary boil water notice issued here Tuesday was attributed to human error during the routine cleaning of a water tower, officials said, and an all-clear was given Thursday morning.

The Boil Water Notice issued Tuesday evening involved more than 3,000 municipal connections — customers who receive a bill from the city of Madison — due to a drop in water pressure and was expected to be lifted Thursday morning if not before then, officials said.

Madison Public Works Senior Director of Operations Pete Vozzo said because of the brief and “insignificant” drop in pressure, his department declared the precautionary notice and was, in turn, required to take water samples and submit them to the Mississippi State Department of Health for testing.

Vozzo said he could “not express enough how insignificant of an event it was,” adding that he expects to get an all-clear from the state agency by Thursday.

“There was never a loss of containment, meaning no containments could have entered the system,” Vozzo said.

He said the temporary loss of pressure was due to human error during the routine cleaning of the tower on Tisdale Road. A valve was not fully turned back on during the routine cleaning, he said.

According to Vozzo, the problem was reported about 5:45 p.m. and was fixed by 6:05 p.m. He said the Boil Water Notice issued soon after for customers east of Crawford Street was “precautionary” and “above and beyond” what is required following a loss of water pressure.

If the city receives an all-clear from MSDH, Vozzo said they can lift the notice.

“If you are on Bear Creek or Pearl River Valley, you are not affected,” a notice from the city Tuesday evening posted on Facebook said.

Customers with any questions or concerns are encouraged to call (601) 856-8958.