Update: KDHE lifts boil water advisory for La Cygne

Update:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment lifted the boil advisory for the public water supply of La Cygne around noon on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

La Cygne City Clerk Jodi Wade said that the most recent test revealed no contaminants, and that KDHE had notified the city midday of its findings. - Journal staff

Press release update

LA CYGNE – While work was being done upgrade to La Cygne's water plant on Thursday, untreated water was introduced to the city's water supply system. City officials contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to let them know of the mishap and placed the city under a boil-water advisory.

City officials released the following statement on Friday morning, Aug. 1:

"Yesterday, due to a technical malfunction during the Water Plant Improvement project there was a concern of untreated water being introduced in to the water system. Due to the concern we contacted KDHE, which determined the best practice would be to issue a

Water Boil Advisory.

"Testing is expected to be performed the first part of next week.  Please continue to follow the advisory procedures until notice is received from the State to rescind the order."

City officials asked that residents follow the boil-water advisory until next week when testing can be completed.

The Wagon Wheel Restaurant in La Cygne announced on Thursday that it was temporarily closing as a precaution.

Below is the news release from the state issued on July 31:

"The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

"The advisory took effect on July 31, 2025 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a mechanical malfunction in the treatment plant which may have put the system at risk for bacterial contamination. 

"Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

"For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 913-757-2144, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service

"Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at  kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767."