Despite Twelve Oaks Utility Association getting kudos from the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors for improving communication with residents it serves in the Twelve Oaks Estates subdivision, the water system remains under a boil water alert that was issued Sept. 9 by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

A call made to the MSDH Wednesday confirmed the utility company is still under a boil water alert “due to recent losses of pressure and line breaks some of which were caused by on going construction.”

According to MSDH, the water system will be notified when tests show that the water is once again safe to drink.

In the meantime, the 135 customers who receive their water from Twelve Oaks water system are advised to continue to boil their drinking water.

Checklist for Safe Water Use

DO NOT

•Do not drink tap water while the water system is under a boil water advisory.

•Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the affected system.

•Do not use ice unless it has been made with boiled water. Freezing will not necessarily kill harmful bacteria.

•Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.

DO

•Wash your dishes in boiled water, or use paper plates for the next few days.

•Wash your fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water since they may have been exposed to affected water from grocery store sprayers.

•Wash your hands and bathe as usual. Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed.

•Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water.

•Cook with tap water if the food will be boiled for at least one minute.

AND REMEMBER:

•Properly chlorinated water in swimming pools is safe.

•Fish in aquariums are not affected.