Killian – After almost a month of dirty water or no water at all, the town of Killian has clean water again.
The problems began in April, when residents found dirt and sediment in toilets, bathtubs and faucets. Officials in Killian and Livingston parishes declared a state of emergency and immediately implemented a boil water advisory.
Samples were taken from the well and sent to the state lab in Amite. As a result, all coliform bacteria were detected in the wells. When pressurization of the water system is interrupted and bacteria from the wastewater system combine with the well system, total coliform bacteria will multiply.
Residents were told to pick up cases of bottled water to use for essentials until the wells were repaired.
Along the way, Livingston Parish spent $30,000 a day installing drinking water tanks. When that money ran out, Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte partnered with a company called Air Products, which donated $100,000 to bring more potable water.
As residents' patience wore thin, state health officials intervened and advised Killian to stop work and follow American Water Works Association guidelines. As part of that procedure, well water was to be chlorinated at least twice before new test samples were taken.
On Tuesday, May 14, the Louisiana Department of Health announced that Killian could be fined for failing to bring the well back into compliance and providing potable water to Killian water system customers. I ordered that there was.
Killian has been given until Friday, May 17, to restore water to residents. Failure to comply will result in a fine of $333 per day for each day the system cannot be restored.
“Please be aware that water loss may occur while the well is being reassembled. This will occur on Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Killian Town Hall posted on social media yesterday. It is expected to occur until then.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, this water is safe for bathing and general use, but must be boiled for human consumption.
Although the state of emergency has been lifted, the boil water advisory will remain in place until new test results show there is no coliform bacteria present in the wells.