Do Not Drink Order Issued for a Portion of the Reno Co RWD 101, Reno County

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Do Not Drink Order Issued for a Portion of the Reno Co RWD 101, Reno County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a Do Not Drink Order for a portion of the Reno Co RWD 101 public water supply system located in Reno County.

Only those customers west of the intersection of Red Rock Rd and Switzer Rd are affected.

The system had a water main break which caused a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. Since the system has had a history of high nitrates in the water, a Do Not Drink Order is being issued.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice

1. DO NOT GIVE TAP WATER TO INFANTS. Infants up to six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.
2. Water, juice, and formula intended for infants up to six months should not be prepared with tap water. Use bottled water or other water low in nitrates for this purpose.
3. DO NOT BOIL TAP WATER. Nitrate levels cannot be reduced by boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water settle. Excessive boiling can concentrate the nitrates as water evaporates because the nitrates remain in the liquid.

1. Water should not be ingested or used for brushing teeth. Use bottled water for these purposes.
2. Do not use water to cook or prepare food.

1. Tap water can be used for bathing. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.
2. Tap water may be used to flush toilets.

The order took effect on June 3, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.

Limited bottled water is being supplied by the system at the Reno County Public Works building at 600 Scott Blvd, South Hutchinson for those in need.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a Do Not Drink Order, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.