For Immediate Release:  May 28, 2021

Contact:  Erin Hatfield, (405) 702-7119, erin.hatfield@deq.ok.gov

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has advised the Barnsdall Water System, located in Osage County, to inform users of its drinking water to use water that has been brought to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, bottled water, or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and brushing teeth. This order was issued due to elevated turbidity.

The following water systems purchase water from Barnsdall Water System, and therefore are also under the boil order:

• Osage Co. RWD #5

Please note that the boil order is only for Barnsdall Water System and the water systems that purchase water from that system. The boil order does not include many areas of Osage County. If a water customer is unsure which water system supplies their water, the customer should check their water bill.

This Boil Order is not related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and it is important to continue to wash your hands during the Boil Order. During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, keeping hands clean is especially important to help prevent the virus from spreading. It is safe to wash your hands with soap and tap water. If soap and tap water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. If you have an open wound, you should use boiled or bottled water to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

Users will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires that consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers.

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