FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Steele | [email protected] | 225-788-0095
BATON ROUGE (May 10, 2024) – The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) have been monitoring the ongoing boil water advisory issued by the Killian Water System on April 23, 2024.
LDH Engineering Services has been working to evaluate water quality and provide technical assistance, including performing bacteriological sampling of the distribution system. Testing on multiple samples from the distribution system found the water to be negative for total coliforms, bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other bacteria may be present.
GOHSEP has helped provide roughly 20 pallets of bottled water since the start of the event and is working on delivery of a second shipment to ensure residents have drinking water while the system issues are addressed.
“GOHSEP and LDH have coordinated meetings with parish and local leaders in order to help facilitate a solution to the community’s ongoing challenges,” said GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux. “It is important for residents to receive accurate information related to the work and testing. We appreciate Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte’s willingness to push forward with plans that both support the public and address work needed to clear the boil water advisory. A state emergency declaration is not needed as part of this process and is not recommended by GOHSEP. Unfortunately, there are multiple water systems around the state at any given time with similar issues as Killian that do not require this step. GOHSEP will continue to provide support to help Killian and the parish get through this crisis.”
On Thursday, May 9, the Village of Killian announced that a sample from the well tested positive for total coliform bacteria. However, LDH Engineering Services later learned that the test was performed before the well was disinfected and while the well’s sanitary seal was still open. The positive result was likely due to these factors.
As a result, LDH is directing the Killian Water System to return the well back to working order as designed and permitted, disinfect the well and close the sanitary seal in accordance with the state’s sanitary code. Once that is complete, LDH will collect samples from the well and from the distribution system. If those samples test negative for total coliform bacteria, the Killian Water System will be directed to lift the boil water advisory.
GOHSEP and LDH are aware of information circulating regarding Killian’s discolored water. It should be noted that Killian Water System has historically struggled with the presence of iron and manganese in the system’s water. Iron and manganese are naturally occurring elements that can give water a brownish color and are commonly found in shallow aquifers like the one utilized by Killian’s well, and many other rural Louisiana communities. While the minerals can discolor the water and leave sediment, they are not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
LDH’s goal is to ensure the safeguards necessary to prevent disease outbreaks and chemical exposure associated with contaminated drinking water, while providing objective and transparent information to consumers about the quality of the water they use and consume. GOHSEP and LDH will continue to work with local officials to provide support as they work to lift the boil advisory, develop a comprehensive short-term operational plan, and identify resources to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (R.S. 40:5) and provide drinking water to the citizens of Killian.
Please follow GOHSEP’s social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn. The GOHSEP Get A Game Plan Podcast is another resource available to help you and your family prepare for any type emergency. You can download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other preparedness information at www.getagameplan.org.
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