North KC boil-water advisory continues as crews repair ruptured main
As North Kansas City utility crews work to repair a ruptured water main that affected city water pressure Thursday night, a boil advisory on city water is expected to continue for at least two days.
The main water system rupture, which happened in Macken Park on Thursday evening, was expected to have been repaired by the end of the day Friday, North Kansas City Mayor Bryant DeLong shared on X, formerly Twitter. Repair plans began Thursday and continued through the night, deputy city administrator Kim Nakahodo told The Star Friday morning.
Homes near Macken Park are experiencing low water pressure along with potentially contaminated water, The Star reported Thursday. While repairing the main leak, a series of smaller leaks was also discovered, city administrators shared online Friday.
North Kansas City officials had not determined the cause of the initial water main break as of Thursday evening, Nakahodo told The Star.
Earlier Friday, Culligan Water, an Olathe water treatment systems company, began distributing bottled water to North Kansas City residents in the parking lot of North Kansas City High School. Premium Waters, a water supplier based in Riverside, also donated bottled water to the pop-up distribution center.
North Kansas City residents can pick up one case of bottled water per household in the parking lot of the high school, 620 E. 23rd Ave., until 7 p.m. Friday or while supplies last. Homebound residents can access free bottled water by calling the Clay County Public Health Center at (816) 595-4200.
Untreated water can carry bacteria and parasites, which can be particularly dangerous to children, the elderly and the immunocompromised, Nakahodo wrote Thursday. Symptoms of drinking untreated water can include diarrhea, headaches, nausea and cramps.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recommends that residents continue to boil their water for at least 48 hours even after the city’s water system is repaired.
While the boil advisory is in effect, North Kansas City Water Utilities customers are asked to boil all tap water for at least three minutes before using it for cooking, cleaning or drinking.
As repair efforts continue, the Clay County public health department is working with food vendors around North Kansas City to maintain safe food preparation standards in kitchens with potentially tainted tap water.
The Clay County Public Health Center recommends that residents eat from single-use tableware until the advisory ends. Other recommendations include turning off automatic produce misters and refraining from using tap water to thaw frozen food.
The ongoing boil advisory has forced some North Kansas City businesses and roads to close while repairs take place.
Roads surrounding North Kansas City Hospital have been closed as part of the water main repair efforts, the hospital announced on X Friday. Residents can still access the hospital from the south side of the building, using Vernon Road off Highway 210.
Additionally, the NKC YMCA announced Friday that it will close until further notice, and that an Aug. 2 food distribution event had been canceled as a result of water concerns.
