Finally, Good News for Bunker Hill: The Water's Safe to Drink Again!

There’s a collective sigh of relief echoing through the streets of Bunker Hill this week, and honestly, who can blame anyone? For what felt like an eternity – though in truth, it was just a few days – residents have been meticulously boiling every drop of water before so much as brushing their teeth. But good news, finally, has arrived: the city’s boil water advisory? It’s officially a thing of the past.

The advisory, you might recall, sprang into action on November 7th. It wasn't a random decision, not at all; a significant water main break had unfortunately led to a rather concerning loss of pressure within the system. And, as we all know, when pressure drops, so does the guarantee of pristine, potable water. So, out of an abundance of caution, the order was given: boil it or don’t drink it.

Fast forward to November 13th, and the official word came down from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, or KDHE as it’s often known. They’re the folks, after all, who give the final nod on such critical public health matters. After what we can only imagine were a series of thorough, rigorous bacteriological tests, the results came back clean. Satisfactory, they said, which means, well, exactly what you hope it means: the water is safe.

During those days under the advisory, daily life certainly saw a few adjustments, didn’t it? Every drop used for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, or even that morning mouthwash needed a good, rolling boil for at least one minute. A minor inconvenience, perhaps, but a vital one for health. And for those outside Bunker Hill, a quick clarification: this was a localized issue. No other surrounding communities, thankfully, were impacted by Bunker Hill's temporary water woes. Just Bunker Hill, standing strong, waiting patiently.

So, the kettles can now be put away, the bottled water stash can dwindle, and the simple act of turning on the tap for a refreshing glass of water returns to its rightful place as an unthinking pleasure. It's a small victory, perhaps, but one that certainly makes daily life in Bunker Hill just a little bit easier, a little bit safer, and definitely a lot more normal.