Officials with SIRWA (The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association), have expanded the Boil Water Advisory issued Monday for southeastern Cass County. The Advisory now includes customers in northwestern Adams, Montgomery, and southeastern Cass Counties, including the Cities of Grant, Carbon, Brooks, Bridgewater and Lyman. It affects customers with account numbers that begin with 047, 048, 081, 082, 084 and 005.

SIRWA says they are not getting the proper chlorine residual from their water supplier. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used. The chlorine residual has been below acceptable tolerances in the Bridgewater and Lyman areas, since Saturday night. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used.

IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes.

The system is being chlorinated and flushed to restore the residual needed. Pending results of tests taken Tuesday and again today (Wednesday), the advisory will be lifted Thursday morning, Aug. 7th.

This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted. SIRWA is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation as quickly as possible in order to restore water service and lift the advisory.