Boil-water order lifted at Millersville

MILLERSVILLE, Mo. -- An order to boil water in Millersville enacted Friday after workers found animal waste tucked into above-ground access to the water line was lifted Wednesday. Two samples tested by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources showed the water was completely safe.

Gerald Sorbello, the district maintenance superintendent for Public Water Service District No. 2, which serves Millersville and the surrounding area, said the boil order came after a "cow patty" was found in a piece of water-line flushing equipment.

The equipment, which looks identical to a fire hydrant, was found with the cap off and the cow excrement inside, Sorbello said. The equipment is north of Millersville near the corner of Route B and County Road 452.

"It never made it into the water system," Sorbello said. "There are two valves that kept any bacteria out. We asked that people boil their water just as a precautionary measure."

Sorbello said he believes it was the work of young pranksters.

"Kids have put rocks down there, and I pulled out a Barbie doll once. I guess she wanted to take a swim," Sorbello said. "This was just a bunch of kids waiting around for the school bus who don't have anything else to do."

Water system workers notified the Department of Natural Resources and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Additional samples from that same appliance have shown no bacteria.

Sorbello said he has ordered 42 locks to place on the equipment. He contacted the sheriff's department and plans to file a formal complaint.

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, said her office offers assistance in making announcements in such matters, even though the matter falls under the Department of Natural Resource's jurisdiction.

"I don't think this is anything serious at all," she said. "The samples show the water is safe. This should settle people's minds."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137