Advisory mandated by state due to equipment installation at Somerset Water Plant; begins Saturday, Jan. 13
SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (January 8, 2024) — The City of Somerset has issued a systemwide boil water advisory beginning Saturday, Jan. 13 until further notice.
This precautionary measure is mandated by the Kentucky Division of Water/Department for Environmental Protection due to equipment installation at the Somerset Water Plant High Service Pumping Station. New piping and a surge relief valve will be installed over the weekend, which can create the potential for bacteriological contamination of the water supply.
The advisory includes all water districts in Pulaski County — Somerset Water Service, Southeastern Water, Western Pulaski Water, Science Hill Water and Eubank Water — and will remain in effect until test results have shown the water to be of an acceptable quality.
Water and Wastewater Manager Dana Whitis said she chose Jan. 13 for the installation because it is the beginning of a holiday weekend — schools, financial institutions and government offices will be closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, Jan. 15.
“I chose this date for the installation to lessen the impact the boil water advisory will have on local businesses should it extend into the beginning of next week,” Whitis said. “This was the best possible time for us to complete this upgrade at the plant. We apologize for any inconvenience the advisory will cause, but it is necessary to ensure the safety of our residents while we complete this work.”
Everyone in the affected area should boil all water used for drinking and cooking beginning Saturday, Jan. 13 until further notice. Bring the water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using.
Residents will be notified once the boil water advisory has been lifted. The Lake Cumberland District Health Department (LCDHD) will notify restaurants, nursing homes and all school systems.
Watch the City of Somerset’s social media channels (@CityofSomerset.KY on Facebook and @cityofsomerset on X) for updates.
Residents can find detailed guidance from LCDHD about boil water advisories here; guidance for food service establishments can be found here.
For more information about this specific advisory, call Whitis at (606) 875-8549, Tony Claunch at (606) 305-3816 or Jon Hammond at (606) 305-2675.
