Boil advisory in effect after the shut-off until further notice
Water service will be shut off for the entire town of Scranton Monday at 7 am to repair a water main leak in the 400 block of Main St.
According to Scranton city clerk Melinda Hinners, the break was discovered Friday but crews were unable to repair it that day.
After water service is restored, Scranton water customers will be under a boil advisory until further notice.
Until the water is shut off, Scranton city water is safe to use for all purposes.
Boil advisories are issued after water is shut off of when the water source pressure level drops below a set point because there is a higher possibility for water to become contaminated with harmful bacteria.
The boil order is precautionary until laboratory tests taken after the water service is restored show there is no bacteria present. Typically, the water samples incubate for a minimum of 24 hours. Scranton residents can plan on the boil advisory to be in effect through Tuesday at the minimum.
Water that will be consumed should be boiled vigorously for at least one minute. Water filters or refrigerating water will not remove bacteria.
The Iowa Department of Public Health advises that only boiled water be used for washing dishes and for brushing teeth. Untreated water can be used for bathing, provided the bather doesn’t swallow the water.
Information can be found on the Iowa Department of Public Health website at http://idph.state.ia.us