Culbertson under boil water order

CULBERTSON, Neb. — Residents of the Village of Culbertson are under a boil water order effective Thursday, Nov. 14, after the detection of E. coli bacteria in the municipal water system. Village officials are investigating the issue to identify and resolve potential sources of contamination.

Bottled water is available at the city offices.

E. coli in drinking water signals possible contamination from human or animal waste, which can carry pathogens that pose health risks. Symptoms from exposure may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches, with infants, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals at heightened risk. Residents experiencing health concerns should consult their physician.

Precautions for Residents:

Residents are advised to boil all tap water for at least one minute before cooling it for consumption or to use bottled water. The advisory applies to drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation.

Response Measures:

The contamination may stem from heavy runoff, pipe breaks, or treatment failures. The water system is currently undergoing chlorination, with follow-up testing planned for Monday, November 18. Officials anticipate lifting the boil water order by Wednesday, Nov. 20, once water samples are confirmed safe.

For more information on minimizing microbial infection risks, residents can contact the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or visit epa.gov/safewater.

Further updates will be shared as available.