Cherokee Nation, local businesses help Marble City during boil order

Cherokee Nation, along with other agencies and businesses, have been providing Marble City residents with bottled water since a boil order was enacted Friday for residents living in town.

Vance Mooney, manager of Sequoyah County Water Association, said on Tuesday that he was still waiting on lab results and was uncertain as to when they would be ready before the boil order could be lifted.

Mooney said on Monday a sample of the water was taken to a lab in Tulsa to verify water quality. Mooney said in order for the boil order to be lifted, lab results from two consecutive days must show the water is safe for human consumption.

Mooney said this is the latest of several boil orders issued for the area this summer.

The current order resulted when a contractor broke a city water line Thursday while installing a sewer line. Repairs to the broken pipe resulted in a water interruption, and the boil order was subsequently announced. Mooney said the line has been broken about four other times.

Mooney said that a sample taken Friday “looked pretty clean, but you gotta do a boil order, you gotta be safe.”

Marble City Mayor Tamara Hibbard said Cherokee Nation tribal officials brought bottled water to the town last week and on Monday.

“We would like to say ‘thank you’ and give a big shout out to those that have helped us during the boil order this past week,” Hibbard said. “Thanks for supporting the Town of Marble City in our time of need.”

Hibbard said those who have helped include Beau Burleson, Dist. 2 Commissioner, Sequoyah County Emergency Management Services, Agent & Mallory Martin Funeral Services, Inc., Zzoom Bail Bonds, District 5 Cherokee Nation Council Representative E.O. Smith, and Cherokee Nation Emergency Management Services.

What is a boil order?

A boil order is a public- health advisory issued by authorities to residents when a community’s drinking water is or could be contaminated by pathogens.

According to the CDC, these advisories mean you should:

• Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, and to prepare and cook food.

• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute. After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.

• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).

• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

• Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible.

Hand washing

• In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.

• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.

• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.