Water emergencies can include water main breaks and power outages as well as chemical or other pollutant spills, which affect source water. Water emergencies can also include extreme weather events, such as flooding or prolonged drought. Each of these emergencies pose unique problems to the water and wastewater systems, to water suppliers and water customers. That is why it is important to know what you are dealing with.

Knowing what the water issue is, or water emergency you are experiencing will help you take the right protective measures for you and your family. It will also help you contact the right agency. 

See also, Directories of Contacts for Water Emergencies 

Much of the time there are some pretty clear visual signs and smells to help you determine if your tap, well or spring water has been contaminated, but not always! Many contaminants, such as heavy metals, lead, and bacteria, may be odorless and tasteless. Here is a list of a few of the signs you should keep an eye out for: 

- Murky or cloudy appearance.

- Visible sediment in water.

- Oily film on water.

- Scale or scum buildup in pipes, showerheads, and faucets.

- Brown, red, or green stains on sinks, clothes, and appliances.

- Rotten egg*, detergent, or chlorine smell.

- Salty, soapy, metallic, or chemical taste.

- Dead animals on the shores or not far from the water body, from where you are considering drinking water. 

*Some well water contains enough sulfur to give off a "rotten egg" smell, but in small quantities, sulfur is not necessarily a concern. For some, especially babies, sulfur may cause diarrhea and dehydration, especially if they are not used to drinking sulfur-rich water.

Did you know that contaminants enter drinking water from a variety of sources, and many cannot be detected without a water test?

See also, Who can test your water?

How to take a water sample for testing it?

Sources

The State, Eight signs your drinking water may be contaminated.

University of Kentucky Environmental Management, Drinking Water Information.

Water from the tap may sometimes have a smell or color that is not normal. The most common reason water may have a strange taste/odor is the chlorine added at the treatment facility to kill bacteria and other organisms that can impact human health. The addition of disinfectant is required by the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. EPA. Also, a certain level is maintained in the distribution system to disinfect water as it travels from the treatment plant to your building. This taste/odor may increase certain times during the year as Kentucky American Water cleans their distribution system and switches disinfectants. This increase is normal and is not harmful. Other possible taste and odor issues include:

Earthy or musty tastes and odors: These are associated with changing weather conditions and algae outbreaks. They typically occur seasonally in the spring or fall. When this happens, the treatment facility adjusts their process and monitors the issue.

Rotten egg odor: If not maintained properly, water heaters may produce this type of odor. If you experience this odor in the hot water only, your building operator should be notified. During the summer when the campus population is severely reduced, taste and odor issues may develop in certain buildings due to lack of use. The rotten egg or sulfur odor develops as the water stagnates in the lines. If this odor is in the cold water only, the building may need to be flushed. Environmental Management should be notified.

Metallic taste: A metallic taste can be caused by actual metals in the water supply. Older supply pipes, particularly those made of iron can be the source of these metal contaminants. Often,

these metals only cause taste/odor issues and are not harmful to human health. However, if this is experienced, Environmental Management should be notified so that the water can be tested to ensure that contaminant levels are within acceptable ranges.

Drain odors: Often, you may perceive a drain odor coming from your tap water. This lingering odor can be caused by your sink, drain and pipes not being cleaned. Depending on what blocks your water, whether it is food, grease, or dirt, good remedies for cleaning your sink and pipes without harming them, or the environment are baking soda and vinegar (preferably white) and boiling water. See also, How can you take care of your plumbing? 

Did you know tap water should not have a smell or color to it normally? If there is discoloration or smell check with your water provider to see if there are any notifications of issues or if there is a boil water advisory. You may need to use bottled water or water from another source until the issues are fixed. Notify your water provider of these issues. 

TIP: To verify if your water smells or looks concerning, use a clean glass (plastic is not recommended), fill it with water from the suspected tap and take it away from the sink area, preferably in a different room, and let it settle. If your water looks discolored, scummy, sticky, or if the odor persists, Environmental Management should be contacted.

Source

U. Saha, L. Sonon, J. Mowrer, D. Kissel, Your Household Water Quality: Odors in your Water, UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories.

The State, Eight signs your drinking water may be contaminated.

Brown, yellow, red or orange water stains on sinks, clothes and appliances are usually a sign of iron, manganese or rust in the pipes, or indicate dissolved iron in your water. Although the presence of iron is not a health hazard (since iron is an essential nutrient), it can be a nuisance, as it can turn everything orange or yellowish! Yet, too much iron in your water can cause damage to your heart, liver, and pancreas, as well as affect your home’s plumbing. 

TIP: If you find the discoloration unsuitable, simply flush the tap until the water runs clear. If it’s only in the hot water supply, there may be an issue with the water heater. If the water remains discolored only for a minute or two after the tap is turned on, the building's internal plumbing may be the culprit. 

Water may also become discolored (usually brown or yellowish) if there is a line break, when construction is taking place on the lines, or due to sediments getting stirred up when fire hydrants are used. If the water doesn’t clear up after a few minutes, the Environmental Management should be notified.

TIP: After a repair of a water line, or after a break has been fixed, often water coming out of your tab can be brown. Let water run in your tab for some seconds, and flush your toilet. Soon, water coming out of your taps will be clean again.

Green stains are a sign of different acids in your water, while white stains on the faucet aerator, around the sink area, or in the area where water is typically used, may be the result of high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in water. The result of these high concentrations is hard water. Excessive hardness can cause mineral deposits to remain on surfaces after water evaporates. Hard water is not dangerous to drink, but may cause your pipes to become encrusted with minerals inside, which then makes a smaller area for water to flow through, and a rough surface that traps additional grease or food, further closing up pipes.

TIP: Hard water stains can be removed with a mixture of vinegar and water.

Sources

….

Cloudy or milky looking water is usually the result of tiny air bubbles suspended in the water. These bubbles are so small that they are almost invisible. This gives the water a very white, cloudy appearance. If you pour a glass of water and allow it to stand for a few minutes, the air bubbles will rise to the surface. 

The quality of the water is not affected. Nor is the water harmful to consume. If the water does not clear from the bottom up, KY Environmental Management should be called.

If you see white stains on the faucet aerator, around the sink area, or in the area where water is typically used, your water is probably ‘hard’. Hardness is the measure of the concentration of calcium and magnesium in water. These two minerals are naturally present in water and pose no health risk. Excessive hardness can cause mineral deposits to remain on surfaces after water evaporates. Hard water stains can be removed with a mixture of vinegar and water.

Source 

University of Kentucky, Drinking Water Information.

If the water in a lake or a reservoir looks green or blue, then there is a good possibility that toxin-producing cyanobacteria (also known as green-blue algae) have grown excessively. Algae occur naturally in water bodies and are a vital part of the ecosystem. However, when algae species grow excessively, they can pose health risks to humans and animals. 

Excessive algae blooms are referred to as Harmful Algae Bloom (or HAB) and favorable conditions for their growth are warm temperatures, low flow of water, or excess nutrients. The toxins produced by these algae blooms may affect the liver, nervous system, and/or skin in humans or animals. Yet, not all cyanobacteria produce toxins and some produce toxins only under certain conditions. 

Both the Kentucky Division of Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have initiated increased testing of lakes in Kentucky to document these blooms. If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, you can report it to the Division of Water, or you can report it through an app, by downloading to your mobile the bloomWatch app. 

Did you know that HABs can have a variety of different colors and looks? Besides blue-green, HABs may also appear bright green, brown, or red and white. The waterbody affected by excessive algae blooms may also present parallel streaks and/or green dots. Some HABs may look like spilled paint, or pea soup, and often have a grainy, sawdust-like appearance upon closer inspection. 

Sources 

Team KY, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Harmful Algal Blooms.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Information on Blue-Green Algae and Harmful Algal Blooms. 

U.S. Geological Survey, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Research. 

If something is wrong with your water, the best plan is to contact your water provider or local government. You can visit their websites, or consult the Directory of Water Systems in Harlan County, at the end of this toolkit. 

You can also call EPA's Hotline depending on specific topics. 

If you are unsure of what the problem is, you can fill out a form or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791. 

If you are suspecting environmental or other kinds of violations, you can fill out a report to the EPA. 

The KY state agencies for emergencies for reporting or for filing complaints are the Environmental Management Branch, the Kentucky Emergency Management and the Public Service Commission.

To find the contact info of these state water agencies, visit their websites or check out our Directory of Contacts in case of Water Emergencies. 

TIP: A good place to search for your water system and your water provider is the Kentucky Drinking Water Watch Water Systems search tool. If your water provider does not have an easily accessible website or contact information, you may look if there is a Facebook page that is regularly updated. 

Sources

EPA, Hotlines.

EPA, Report A Violation.

Team Kentucky, Environmental Management Branch.

In case there is something wrong with your water, share information with other community members. Do your neighbors face the same water issues? Plan for community meetings to bring folks together to share their concerns and look for root causes (what causes this and what causes these causes you are finding). In doing so, gather information about your water system. Use the Freedom Information Act to request information about your water system from the system itself! Or, request access to records on reported boil water advisory (BWA), or other consumer notifications maintained in the Drinking Water Branch (or, in other state or territory environments agencies), which enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

Find your water system’s Consumer Confidence Report. This is a key source of information that does not require a Freedom of Information Act request. You can also request inspection reports, notices of violation, and other enforcement records (such as Agreed Orders, Judgments, Complaints, and Agency, or Secretary’s Orders) under the open records or state FOIA law information. 

Did you know that LiKEN has put together a toolkit on how to gather people and work together for positive change in your community? You can access it here: Community Engagement Guide.

Source

A boil water advisory may be ordered when high levels of biological contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, protozoa and viruses are found in the drinking water. Or, you may receive such an advisory if their presence is possible, due to a water line break. Filtering water will not remove the biological contaminants that have prompted the boil water advisory. On the contrary, boiling water can kill these contaminants.

To boil water:

• Fill a pot with water.

• Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.

• Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 3 minutes.

• Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.

• Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.

However, if you receive a boil water advisory and you know or suspect that your water might be contaminated with fuel or a toxic chemical, then you should use a different source of water, as boiling will not remove pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g. mercury, lead, arsenic and chromium). On the contrary, when your water is polluted with heavy metals, boiling water can concentrate them. 

Also, it is a good idea to sanitize containers for storing your boiled water. To sanitize containers, all you need is an unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).

• Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups, or about 1 liter) of water.

• Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container.

Sources

CDC, Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview.

Team KY, Energy and Environment Cabinet. Fact Sheet About What to Do During a Boil Water Advisory.

Do not drink water advisories are typically issued when tap water is, or could be, contaminated with harmful chemicals or toxins. Boiling water containing harmful chemicals or toxins will not make the water safe to use. 

If you receive a “Do not drink water” advisory, use commercially bottled water for drinking and cooking, as well as other activities, such as brushing your teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, mixing baby formula, making ice, or giving water to pets. This information is sometimes included in the ‘Do not drink’ advisories. You can also drink or use water from a natural spring, given that you are testing the spring water annually and know that it is safe for you and your beloved ones.

Did you know that boiling water containing toxins will not remove them? In fact, boiling contaminated water can concentrate the toxins.

See also, How to take care of a natural spring? What are some things to know and consider when drinking water from a spring?

Source

CDC, Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview.

If you receive, a “Do not use water advisory” do not drink or use your tap water for any purpose as long as the advisory is in effect. The tap water is, or could be, contaminated with harmful germs, chemicals, toxins, or radioactive materials. Swallowing, touching, or having other contact with the tap water could be dangerous. This includes contact with your skin, lungs, or eyes. Use commercially bottled water for all purposes. “Do not use water” advisories are rare. 

Source 

CDC, Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview

If you receive an algal bloom advisory, you should avoid going into or near the water body for which the algal bloom advisory has been issued. People who are prone to respiratory allergies or asthma and kids can be particularly sensitive. Also prevent pets, and livestock from coming into contact or drinking water from affected water bodies. 

To prevent exposure to harmful algal blooms, the following steps and strategies are recommended: 

• Check if there are swimming or algal bloom advisories for the lakes, oceans or other water bodies you intend to visit. 

• Avoid coming into direct contact, including swimming, wading, paddling, diving, and water skiing in water that has unusual color or smell, or if it has foam, scum, mats of algae, or paint-like streaks on the surface, had dead fish or other animals washed up on the shores. 

• Use only the recommended amount of fertilizers on your farm, yard or garden. Excessive amounts of fertilizers will increase the amount of nutrients running off into nearby water bodies, helping harmful algae bloom to grow. 

• Maintain your septic system to keep wastewater from getting into nearby bodies of water. Wastewater is full of nutrients that can feed harmful algal blooms.

If you come into contact with water containing blue-green algae, wash off with clean, fresh water. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare provider. In some cases, skin irritation will appear after prolonged exposure. If you are concerned that you have symptoms that are a result of exposure to harmful algal blooms, please see your doctor and call your local health department (see, Directory of local health departments in KY). 

Sources

CDC, Preventing Illnesses Caused by Harmful Algal Blooms

—, Harmful Algal Blooms and Your Health

Team KY, Energy and Environment Cabinet, Harmful Algal Blooms 

The main reason for issuing swimming advisories in Kentucky are high levels of E. coli bacteria. These bacteria indicate the presence of untreated or inadequately treated sewage (including human and animal waste). Swimming advisories, when issued, often last for several years. When there is a swimming advisory for a specified water body (e.g. river, lake etc) in an area, avoid any contact with water. 

Currently, [last updated in August 2024] the swimming advisories issued by the Division of Water in the Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, for the Kentucky State, are the following: 

Upper Cumberland River

• The Cumberland River from Four Mile Bridge (Highway 2014) to Pineville at the Highway 66 Bridge and from Wallins Creek Bridge (Highway 219) to Harlan

• Martins Fork Cumberland River from Harlan to the Cawood Water Plant

• All of Catron Creek, all of Clover Fork and all of Straight Creek

• Poor Fork from Harlan to Looney Creek

• Looney Creek from the mouth to Lynch Water Plant Bridge

Residential and Agricultural Areas

The Division of Water in the Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services recommend the public to avoid recreating in stream segments below wastewater treatment facility outfalls, confined animal feedlots or other obvious sources of pollution during any time of the year. 

TIP: When you are out to enjoy nature and the Commonwealth's water sources, use common sense to ensure your or your family's health; avoid areas with obvious green, blue, or brown surface scums, or obvious foul odors. 

Source

Team Kentucky. Energy and Environment Cabinet. “Swimming Advisories.”

If you receive a flood alert, identify the type of alert. The alert you’ve received may be:

• Flood Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

• Flood Advisory: Issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough for a warning. However, it may cause inconvenience and caution should be exercised. 

• Flood Warning: Issued when flooding is expected or occurring. Caution should be exercised and necessary action should be taken. 

Before a flood, there are actions you can take to be prepared. First of all, you need to know what your risk is during a flood. To find out about your risk, you can check out the Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal. If your home is located in the floodplain and your area is being affected by the flood, you will need to have already considered ways to help all family members and pets escape safely. If possible, gather with your neighbors and make such a plan for the neighborhood. Also, creating a communication plan between members of your household, and assembling a 72-hour emergency are good ways to prepare for disaster. 

You should also prepare your home! A way to do that is to gather sandbags and always have charged batteries or power banks for charging important electronics, like phones and radios. Have your plumber check to ensure that your plumbing will withstand flooding, and check your home flood insurance. 

TIP: Know your city’s notification protocol for water emergencies before the water emergency! 

See also, How do you get notified of water advisories or emergencies, and of when they are lifted?

During a flood, you should remain aware and stay informed. Disconnect appliances as soon as possible, and do not go into a basement or into any room that has water covering the electrical outlets. Stay away from water that you believe could have electricity in it. 

If you live in the affected flood plane, get to higher ground if you have not already. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately! Don’t forget to lock your door before leaving. 

Avoid flood waters. Don’t walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest point and call 911 if possible. Do not drive into flooded roadways. Water during a flood can be deeper than it appears. It can also hide hazards such as sharp objects, washed-out roads, electrical wires, chemicals, and more. When you see flooded roadways turn around, don’t drown! 

Stay informed by listening to the radio or television if possible. Local radio stations or stations such as NOAA Weather Radio can give you updates as they come. Checking the social media accounts or websites of local governments, water plants, or emergency services can help you locate updates on the situation as well. 

TIP: Do not wait to be told to evacuate. Monitor the situation and get to higher ground before the risk is too high for evacuation. 

After a flood, remember to stay away from high waters until they lower back to normal levels. Follow all caution signs and respect any barricades that are placed on roadways. Contact loved ones and anyone who may be looking out for your safety during the flood. 

Stay informed and keep checking for updates as they come through social media, websites, radio stations, and television channels. Ensure that your water is safe to drink, cook, or clean with before using. Authorities may issue a boil water advisory (BWA) after flooding so watch for these alerts. Carbon monoxide is one of the leading causes of death after storms when areas are dealing with power outages. 

Do not visit disaster areas until advised otherwise. Your presence may hamper rescue and other emergency operations. It can also be dangerous depending on the home or building you are attempting to enter. Avoid entering a flood-damaged building. Water damage can cause floors to collapse, ceilings to fall, and more. 

Upon returning to your home, ensure the electrical system is turned off and have a power company or qualified electrician fix all damaged wires. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage. Wires might be wet or damaged. 

If your property was damaged by the flood, contact your insurance agent to discuss the property damages. Sometimes the impacts of a flood can be devastating to a household or individuals. After floods, there tend to be local and national groups that offer support and aid. Look for groups offering help, if you have been affected by a flood, If you are not sure where to find help, try contacting the KY Emergency Management team. 

Source 

National Weather Service, Flood Safety Tips and Resources

Water providers are responsible for notifying consumers in case of a boil or other water advisory is ordered or lifted. This information must be available on the water provider's website or on their Facebook page. 

Not all cities in Harlan County have an all-call system for emergency alerts. The best way to find out how the water system does customer notifications, including water advisories and emergencies, would be to reach out to the local water system for their protocol. If you live in an unincorporated community you can find out by contacting the county judge executive's office or your water provider. 

See, Directory of Harlan County Water Systems

During times of water shortages either from drought or other causes, officials may recommend water conservation measures to restrict the use of water. There are many ways to conserve water during a drought or shortage. The American Red Cross has some recommendations on Drought Preparedness & Water Conservation.

One practice that can be helpful during a water shortage is the process of capturing precipitation and storing it for later use through rainwater collection (also called catchment). There are currently no laws or restrictions against collecting rainwater in the state of Kentucky. Rainwater can be captured in a cistern (large tanks or rain barrels meant to hold the rainwater). Then, homeowners are free to use this water, but not for human consumption. For example, you can use this water for watering plants, filling toilets to flush, and washing your house, vehicles, or even clothing if needed. 

Tip for homeowners: A good source on the available rainwater collection technologies, technology considerations, and their operation, maintenance, and rainwater treatment, is the “Rainwater Harvesting Systems Technology Review”, published by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). A powerful tool for calculating the rainwater you can collect from your roof, also developed by FEMP, is the Rainwater Harvesting Calculator.

Tip for operators and local governments: For ways you can prepare for a drought-related water shortage in your community, read RCAP’s 10 Ways to Prepare for a Drought Related Water Shortage.

Sources:

Red Cross, Drought Preparedness & Water Conservation.

RCAP, 10 Ways to Prepare for a Drought Related Water Shortage.

Today’s Homeowner, States Where it is Illegal to Collect Rainwater.

FreshWater Systems, How to Collect Rainwater for Drinking.