Editor’s Note: Please refer to the City of Okmulgee website at www. okmugeeonline.com and the Okmulgee City Hall Facebook page for questions and updates related to this matter. Citizens are also encouraged to sign up to receive updates from the city.

-A disruption in the City of Okmulgee’s water treatment process last week triggered a boil water advisory and prompted swift action from surrounding rural water districts, highlighting both the vulnerability and resilience of the region’s interconnected water systems.

According to city officials, the incident began on April 2 when a leak developed on the water feed line supplying the chlorine system at the Okmulgee Water Treatment Plant. The issue temporarily halted the plant’s ability to inject chlorine at normal levels – a critical step in disinfecting drinking water.

Compounding the problem, debris entered the system and affected valves, extending the time required for repairs and delaying the return to full operational capacity.

While other components of the treatment process, including filtration, continued to function properly, the disruption in chlorination raised concerns about the potential presence of harmful microorganisms in the water supply.

As a precaution, the City of Okmulgee issued a boil water advisory for its customers, urging residents to take immediate safety mea- sures.

Officials advised that water should not be consumed without first being boiled for at least two minutes and then cooled. The advisory applies to drinking, brushing teeth, washing vegetables, food preparation, dishwashing, making ice and preparing infant formula. Bottled or preboiled water is recommended for these uses.

City officials noted that bathing and washing clothes remain safe during the advisory period.

“Boiling water kills disease-causing organisms that may be present,” the notice stated.

City crews have since repaired the leak and addressed the mechanical issues caused by debris. The treatment plant has returned to normal operation, and chlorine injection has been restored to appropriate levels.

However, officials emphasized that the advisory will remain in place until water quality testing confirms the absence of microbial contamination. Due to the Easter holiday weekend, test results may be delayed.

In the meantime, crews are actively flushing water mains throughout the system to help remove any water that may have had low disinfectant levels and to ensure a fully treated supply reaches all customers.

“Assuming no further incident or indication of contamination, we would expect to lift the advisory after testing results confirm no microbial presence in the water,” officials said.

The impact of the incident extended beyond city limits, affecting water districts that rely on Okmulgee as a supplier. Among them, Okmulgee County Rural Water District No. 2 issued a public notice on April 3 to inform customers of the situation and outline the steps taken to protect water quality.

District officials emphasized that, despite the issue at the city’s treatment plant, their system remained safe and compliant with drinking water standards.

At the time of the incident, the district had approximately 350,000 gallons of properly treated and disinfected water stored in its main tower. Because incoming water from the city mixes with existing treated water before distribution – and because pumps were not actively drawing new water into the system during the disruption the potential impact was significantly reduced.

Following notification of the issue, Rural Water District No. 2 personnel immediately conducted system-wide testing and implemented precautionary measures.

Among the actions taken:

• Chlorine residual levels were tested throughout the system

• Disinfectant levels were confirmed to remain at or above safe standards, with at least 0.3 mg/L at the system outlet

• Incoming water was verified to contain strong disinfectant levels, approximately 2.2 mg/L

• Controlled flushing began at key locations to maintain circulation of fully treated water Based on those findings, the district determined that a boil water notice was not necessary for its customers.

“No boil order is required,” the district stated in its notice, reassuring residents that water remained safe for consumption.