An old water main broke in Jefferson City.
Missouri American Water Company officials are working on the problem.
Water customers are under a boil advisory.
The water shortage was a major inconvenience for thousands of people in Jefferson City.
Authorities are worried about health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.
Local doctors and nurses have a plan for water emergencies.
St. Mary’s Health Center nurses noticed a drop in water pressure throughout their hospital. That’s when they called for a large supply of bottled water for their patients. Hospital toilets continued to work despite the low water pressure.
St. Mary’s Health Center spokeswoman Beverly Stafford said, “St. Mary’s is prepared for these kinds of emergencies. Our plans were implemented. We are getting a tremendous response from our suppliers. Communication is always a challenge and that has gone very well.”
Like thousands of Jefferson City water customers, Susan Keen had trouble making her coffee in the morning. Susan and her family are coping as best as they can to get them through the water emergency. They filled their bathtub with water so they could use their toilet.
Keen said, “We went out and bought ten cases of purified water to have something to drink around the house. Now, we are boiling water. I guess we are going to have to do that for a couple of days.”
The water main break forced the early closure of schools. Cole County Sheriff’s Deputies scrambled to get drinking water for inmates. Dozens of fast food restaurants on Missouri Boulevard closed. Customers were greeted by empty dining areas and temporary closed signs on windows. The broken water line impacts every Missouri American Water Company customer in Jefferson City.
Hospital officials at both St. Mary’s Health Center and Capital Regional Medical Center are reporting no illnesses because of the water main break.
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