BUTTE, NE — Officials urge Boyd County residents to continue to limit their water use.
A news release issued Monday afternoon by the North Central District Health Department says area residents should limit flushing of toilets, bathing, laundry and dishwasher use.
Officials say running water is available in Butte but is not safe to drink without boiling. When sanitizing the water, boil it for one minute and let it cool before using.
Boyd County residents not in Butte should not use water even if boiled first. The water may be contaminated and may not be safe for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth or making ice. Bottle water should be used.
The Rural Water District is continuing to work to return the water system to regular function.
For those with private wells, at this time bottled water is also recommended for drinking and food preparation. It is recommended to test your private well for coliform (bacteria). Water test kits are available at the Lynch Community Center and the North Central District Health Department. They can also be ordered online at http://www.nebraska.gov/dhhs/water-test-kits/private.html. Test kits are free, but the cost of a coliform test is $15-20.
If your private well has positive results for bacteria (also known as coliform), disinfection is needed. It is best practice to contact a well professional to handle disinfection. A list of professionals is available at www.ncdhd.ne.gov.
