Water main break affects heart of Cape

A boil-water advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday, after a water main break Friday.

Anyone living between the city's southern border and Bertling Street, southeast of Cape Rock Drive and east of Kingshighway must follow the boil-water order, according to Kevin Priester. The order applies to one third of the city — an estimated 12,000 people. Businesses on either side of Kingshighway are not affected by the order.

"We're erring the side of caution," said Priester, manager for Alliance Water, which operates the city's water service. "But this is major."

Patty Ritchie, public notice coordinator for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said boil water advisories apply to any water used for drinking, brushing teeth or food preparation.

She said bathing or washing hands with unboiled water isn't a problem, "unless there's an open sore or surgical cut."

Priester said the 12-inch main, which runs north and south, was broken when part of a steep, rain-soaked bank of the creek running through Shawnee Sports Complex collapsed. A 60-foot section was replaced Friday night.

Alliance Water was deluged with calls after water pressure dropped suddenly at 11:15 a.m. Friday.

Water system workers, along with police and firefighters, searched for two hours before locating the ruptured 12-inch main, submerged in the creek that runs between South West End Boulevard and Shawnee Sports Complex on the city's south side. West End Boulevard was closed between Highway 74 and Linden Street while repairs were being made.

At Southeast Missouri Hospital, elective surgeries from 11:30 a.m. and beyond were canceled as a result of low water pressure, according to a statement issued Friday afternoon.

The surgeries will be rescheduled, the statement said, but patient care services were not disrupted. The hospital used emergency water tanks and bottled water.

Restaurants received calls from Cape Girardeau County Health Department workers, according to Jane Wernsman, R.N., the department's assistant director.

Soda machines cannot be used; ice-making machines should be turned off and ice cubes thrown out, she said. The health department is providing guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing equipment after a water main break.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127