by J.T. Straface
Protecting public health is, and has always been, the mission of the Morgantown Utility Board. It’s the focus of our staff every minute of every day. This is why we continuously challenge ourselves to discover new and better ways to realize our mission.
One area that we believe deserves additional consideration is the issuance of boil water advisories. Specifically, recently enacted legislation mandates that boil water advisories be issued not only via voice message, but also via text messages no later than Jan. 1, 2022. Given MUB’s leadership role in the state and its mission-focused values, we established a July 1, 2021, goal of issuing boil water advisories via text messages in response to planned service disruptions. As we move forward, customers can expect to see more precautionary BWAs as MUB conducts work in your area.
Please know that boil water advisories are strictly precautionary measures. They do not indicate the existence of water quality issues or emergencies. Similarly, our decision to issue advisories does not reflect any sort of change in our water treatment practices. Our water treatment practices will remain wholly consistent with the highest industry standards. Boil water advisories will be issued via text or voice message; however, advisories may include email, door hangers or letters.
As a reminder, when a boil water advisory is issued, affected customers should boil tap water for one minute before using it for drinking, cooking/food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes until the advisory has been lifted. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that potentially could be found in the water following a loss or significant decrease in water pressure.
Upon completion of the work that triggered the boil water advisory, MUB will test and analyze the water to ensure it is safe. This testing will require a minimum of 24 hours to complete. When test results indicate the water is indeed safe, those affected will be notified.
Boil water advisories are another important step toward realizing our mission of protecting public health. Additional information on boil water advisories is available at mub.org/boilwater. Customers can also contact a MUB customer service representative at 304-292-8443 or email non-emergency questions to mubmail@mub.org.
J.T. Straface is the chair of the Morgantown Utility Board’s board of directors. He wrote this on behalf of the entire board.
