Jackson, WY — After two days of clean water tests, the Town of Jackson’s water system has received official clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Teton County Health Department (TCHD). The longstanding boil water advisory was lifted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, allowing homes and businesses to return to regular water consumption.
Why the advisory is over
The EPA announced that the water order was removed following satisfactory results from samples collected on Thursday and processed on Friday. TCHD remained open on Friday to finalize testing, confirming that the water met safety standards. As a result, the Town of Jackson and any neighboring systems that purchase water from Jackson can discontinue the boil water precautions.
What residents should do now
Although the water is deemed safe, officials recommend a brief flushing routine to ensure any residual contaminants are cleared from household plumbing:
- Cold water lines that were used during the advisory are safe for drinking immediately; no flushing is required.
- For cold lines that were not used, start at the lowest level of the building and run each faucet for at least one minute, then work upward floor by floor.
- Run dishwashers through one empty cycle with detergent. If the appliance can reach 150°F or has a “sanitize” setting, use that cycle.
- Hot water tanks may still contain contaminated water. Flush them by running hot showers or baths for 15 minutes. Hot water can be used for bathing, but avoid swallowing it.
- Discard any ice made in automatic or manual ice makers during the advisory. Clean ice trays and containers before producing new ice.
Town’s next steps
Mayor John Doe (name illustrative) stated, “Moving forward, the Town will work with the EPA to implement corrective actions based on the EPA’s Ground Water Rule requirements, to, ideally, prevent any future contaminations.” The town expressed gratitude to residents for their patience and cooperation while the issue was resolved.
Community impact
The swift resolution underscores the effectiveness of local‑state collaboration in protecting public health. Business owners can now resume normal operations without the inconvenience of boiled water, and families can return to their daily routines with confidence in the safety of their tap water.
For any lingering concerns or questions, residents are encouraged to contact the Town of Jackson Water Department at (307) 555‑1234 or visit the town’s website for detailed instructions and updates.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
