Boil Water Order Affects All Sledge Residents, Officials Say

The Mississippi State Department of Health posted a water safety notice for the Town of Sledge on December 17 after the town reported a system wide loss of water pressure caused by one or more line breaks. Public health officials say a distribution system that loses pressure can allow contaminants to enter pipes, so the outage is treated as a potential public health risk until testing proves otherwise.

The advisory covers the town s entire water system, which serves 219 connections. Residents and businesses served by the Sledge system are strongly advised to boil all drinking water vigorously for one minute before using it. That guidance applies to water for drinking, cooking, making ice, and brushing teeth. Use bottled water or previously boiled water for drinking and food preparation until officials lift the notice.

The advisory also gives practical steps to reduce exposure. Do not use tap water for ice or beverages unless the ice or water was made with boiled or bottled water. Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water. Wash dishes with boiled water or use disposable dishes. Bathing and showering are permitted, provided no water is swallowed. When the notice is lifted, households should flush plumbing and hot water heaters, discard ice and any food made with system water during the advisory, rewash food contact items, run dishwashers through a full cycle, and replace water filters if necessary.

Local businesses that handle food or provide childcare should follow the same precautions and prepare to implement the post advisory flushing and cleaning steps once testing shows the water is safe. The advisory remains in effect until the Mississippi State Department of Health or the local water system announces that tests have cleared the water.

For questions or updates contact the MSDH Bureau of Public Water Supply at 601 576 7518 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For urgent public health questions call the MSDH Epidemiology hotline at 601 576 7400, available 24 hours. Media inquiries may be directed to the MSDH Office of Communications.