AVOCA, Iowa — A boil advisory has been issued for Regional Water customers served by the Avoca Treatment Plant in southwest Iowa.

The advisory is issued for all Avoca Treatment Plant customers except those in and around Underwood, McClelland, and Weston. Regional Waters has service connections across Shelby, and portions of Pottawattamie, Harrison, Audubon, and Cass. This does not include the Urban Bluffs area. 

Residents in the area are encouraged to use an alternative water source or boil the water before drinking it. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, food preparation, and making ice. The water can still be used for showering and similar purposes where it’s not ingested.

The advisory has been put in place due to depressurization in the Regional Water water towers. The distribution system depressurization due to demand, as drought-impacted wells struggle to meet water demands.

Regional Waters and Iowa DNR are currently working on repressurizing the system. Samples will be collected and tested following repairs. Once the water tests clear, residents will be notified that it’s safe for use again.

It’s recommended to bring the water to a boil and let it boil for one minute, and then let it cool before use. Boiling kills any possible contamination in the water, such as bacteria. If the water is colored do not use it, use bottled water instead.

For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.