Artesia schools close after second boil water advisory

Hobbs News-Sun

7 years ago

ARTESIA, N.M. (AP) — Artesia public schools will be closed through Tuesday in response to a second boil water advisory sent out by the state in two months. KOB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2ff3Zuj ) Artesia residents are advised to boil their drinking water after E.coli was detected in the water supply. It’s the second boil water advisory issued by the New Mexico Environment Department’s Drinking Water Bureau since July. According to the statement, the city is working to chlorinate and flush the water system. Water should be safe to drink within a week.The school district met with the City of Artesia and the Department of Health and classes will resume Wednesday.

The school released the following guidelines:

The Artesia Public Schools will resume classes on Wednesday, September 20th with the following precautions. These precautions will remain in place at least through Friday, September 22nd or longer if the boil order is still in effect.

1. All water fountains in the district will be covered and inaccessible.

2. Two bottles of water per day will be provided to students and employees. (Students and Employees may bring their own bottled water if desired.)

3. The cafeteria will be serving food that does not require the use of water for preparation or cooking. Food will be distributed to school sites in disposable containers.

4. All district restrooms are equipped with anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer for cleansing after using the restroom.