The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a statement regarding “inaccurate information” being disseminated concerning the ongoing turbidity issue at the Edmonson County Water District’s Wax Water Treatment Plant that serves customers in Grayson and Hart counties.
“It has been brought to our attention that there is a significant amount of inaccurate information in the local community that continues to inaccurately correlate reported water quality issues in Grayson and Hart counties (specifically the area served by the Wax Treatment Plant) with the removal of Green River Lock and Dam Number 5 near Glenmore,” USACE said in a press release.
USACE stated that the removal of the Lock and Dam Number 5 is in no way connected to the turbidity issues at the water plant serving Wax.
“The anticipated removal of Green River Lock and Dam Number 5 – set to resume in Summer 2024—is completely unrelated to water quality issues at the Edmonson County Wax water treatment plant,” according to USACE. “There are two separate water treatment plants that serve the local area. Edmonson County Water District treats surface water from the Green River at the Brownsville treatment plant and from Nolin Lake at the Wax treatment plant.”
The Kentucky Division of Water (KDW) told K105 that its employees have been working with plant officials to alleviate the turbidity issue.
“The Kentucky Division of Water has responded multiple times to assist operators at the Edmonson County Water District’s Wax plant in the past week on turbidity issues, as some customers of the system have been under a Boil Water Advisory,” said John Mura, Executive Director, Office of Communication for the KDW.
K105 earlier this week reported that the ECWD said officials are working with “an additional outside chemical professional to resolve the (turbidity) issue.” The KDW expanded on that statement, saying: “The district is working with: Hawkins Chemical, which supplies treatment chemicals to the plant, Grayson County Water District and Green River Valley Water District also are assisting with operational advice.”
The KDW added that agency personnel “continue to monitor progress and assist where needed.”
The water district recommends that customers bring all water to a boil for one minute and then let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water, the ECWD said, should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.
Turbidity generally has no adverse health effects, however, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a place for microbial growth, and may also indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms, the ECWD said.
These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, one may want to seek medical advice.
**People at increased risk should seek advice from their healthcare providers about drinking the water.
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.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
