By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

LAMAR, Mo. — State officials on Friday lifted a boil order that had been imposed July 10 on the water system for the city of Lamar.

The order advising residents to boil their water before using it was issued because the water was clouded. The problem has been corrected, and the system brought back into compliance, according to an announcement from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

System customers using the water are being asked to open faucets throughout their homes or buildings and allow the water to run for several minutes to ensure that clouded water in service lines and internal pumping systems has been flushed.

City officials discovered last weekend that a collapsed intake pipe in the Lamar Lake, the city’s drinking-water supply, was the cause of the problem. The cable that holds the pipe at the desired level had broken and the intake pipe had dropped onto the floor of the lake and was drawing in sediment along with the water.

The cable was reattached and by Monday night, water leaving the city’s treatment plant had been returned to the required level of clarity, according to officials with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

That allowed the city to begin flushing the turbid water from its distribution system so the order could be lifted.

Lynn Calton, city administrator, said that decision came after two consecutive days of lab tests.

“They wanted two successful days of testing that found no bacteria, then DNR was willing to lift the order,” he said.

Questions

Anyone who notices clouded water, or water with an odor, should contact water-system officials. Residents with questions or who need guidance on flushing internal plumbing may contact the city of Lamar at 682-4480 or 682-5554.