The City of Opelousas is no longer under a boil advisory.
A boil advisory was issued Christmas Eve after a break in the water line.
According to Mayor Reggie Tatum and Chief Administrative Officer Rod Sias, water samples submitted to the Louisiana Department of Health for testing were cleared.
The water is now safe for consumption.
Residents are now being asked to flush their water to clear plumbing of potentially contaminated water. Flushing your household and building water lines includes interior and exterior faucets, showers, water and ice dispensers, water treatment units, etc.
Please follow these guidelines:
Faucets: 5 minutes with cold water. For a residence with multiple levels, start at the top of the house.
Showers: 5 minutes of a mix of hot and cold water.
Toilets: No flushing required.
Washing machines: No flushing required.
Dish washers: If your machine has a sanitize cycle, please run 1 cycle.
Outdoor spigots: 5 minutes; disconnect hose first.
Refrigerator water dispenser: Flush for 5 minutes or at least 1 quart of water.
Faucet/fridge water filters: Consider replacing filter per manufacturer recommendation.
In-line water filter: Consider replacing filter per manufacturer recommendation.
Ice makers: Dump all existing ice and discard new ice made over an additional 24-hour period to assure complete purging of the water supply line. Wash and sanitize ice bin.
Food and baby formula: Be sure you have discarded any baby formula or other foods prepared with water on the days of the boil order. (If unsure of the dates, contact your water department.)
Water heaters: Run hot water from all faucets until water runs cold. The second option is to drain the water heater using spigot/release on the bottom of heater.
Water softeners: Cycle water softener per manufacturer recommendation.
Reverse osmosis systems: Cycle through and consider replacing filters per manufacturer recommendation.
Soft drink dispensers: Disconnect flavoring and cycle water through until replaced with fresh water; reconnect flavoring.
Due to the flushing of the water lines by residents and the flushing of the hydrants, some customers may experience a lack of water pressure and/or discolored water. However, this is an expected result and does not pose a health risk.
