HUMBOLDT — One day after giving the all-clear to resume consuming water like normal, Humboldt residents were asked once again Saturday to restrict water usage.
Updated testing in the Neosho River found elevated levels of contaminants, the city announced in a Saturday evening press release.
“KDHE and the City are being proactive to maintain public safety. We are acting on the latest test results which vary as the chemicals move downstream,” the city posted on its Facebook account. “Yesterday [Friday], the river water met federal standards and today it does not. We understand that changing back and forth is confusing and frustrating, but it is necessary to move through this water supply crisis.”
Because of the contamination, Humboldt officials have suspended operations at the city’s water treatment plant, relying on water stored in its towers to provide water to the city. But with limited capacity in the tanks, residents are once again asked to avoid unnecessary water usage.
“Please do not fill containers,” the news release said. “Limit water use to essential use such as drinking, cooking and sanitary purposes. The water in our water towers is safe but in limited supply.”
The contamination stems from water runoff related to a fire at Mid-West Fertilizer in Iola early Wednesday. The contaminated water entered the Neosho downstream from Iola’s water treatment plant.
