Water emergencies can include water main breaks, power outages, chemical, or other pollutant spills that affect source water. Water emergencies can also include extreme weather events, such as flooding or prolonged drought. Each of these emergencies poses 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 what 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 Directory of Contacts for Water Emergencies and Water Issues 

There are often pretty clear visual signs and smells to 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

• Brown, red, or green stains on sinks, clothes, and appliances

• Rotten egg*, detergent, or chlorine smell

• Salty, soapy, metallic, or chemical taste

• Dead animals in or close to your source 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?

*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.

Sources

The State (Columbia, SC, newspaper), 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 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 home. This taste/odor may increase certain times during the year as water systems clean their distribution system and switch disinfectants. This increase is normal and is not harmful, but if you are concerned about this, contact your water system first.

Locating the source of odor: If odor occurs in all water faucets, the problem is probably in the main water supply. If it occurs only in certain faucets, the problem is likely in the fixtures or pipes supplying those specific faucets. If the problem goes away after running the water for a few minutes, the problem is somewhere in the household plumbing system. If the odor is persistent, the problem could be the water source or a combination of both the water source and the plumbing system. 

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, you should have your water heater checked. Taste and odor issues, such as the rotten egg or sulfur odor, may develop as water stagnates in the lines in certain buildings due to lack of use. If this odor is in the cold water only, the building lines may need to be flushed.

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 you experience this, your water operator should be notified so the water can be tested to ensure that contaminant levels are within acceptable ranges.

Drain odors: 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. Your sink and drains may be cleaned using baking soda and white vinegar or boiling water if you have minor food and grease blockages. These remedies can keep your pipes clean without harming them or the environment, but is best when used on a regular basis, perhaps weekly or monthly. See also How can you take care of your plumbing? 

Sources:

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

University of Georgia Extension - Your Household Water Quality: Odors in Your Water 

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, rust or dissolved iron in the pipes. The presence of iron is generally not a health hazard (since iron is an essential nutrient), but 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. 

Water may also become discolored (usually brown or yellowish) if there is a line break, when construction is taking place on the lines, or because of built-up sediment  stirred up from flushing the lines. Occasionally, changes in source water or ground temperature may create conditions that are more likely to break that built-up sediment loose. If the water does not clear up after a few minutes, your water system operator should be notified.

Green stains are a sign of different acids in your water, while white stains on water appliances (sink faucets, showerheads, washers, dishwashers, etc)—or the area around where water is used—may signal 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. This then makes a smaller area for water to flow through with a rough surface that traps additional grease or food, further closing up pipes.

Cloudy or milky 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.

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. 

If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, you can report it by downloading the bloomWatch app to your mobile phone.

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 first and best thing to do is contact your water provider, the Martin County Water District. 

Main Number: (606) 298-3885 

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8AM to 4PM

After Hours: (606) 626-0189

For up-to-date information and updates on repairs, check out the Martin County Water District Facebook page.

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 on the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, or call them at 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. 

Sources:

• EPA, Hotlines

• EPA, Report A Violation

• Team Kentucky, Environmental Management Branch

The first thing to look at is understanding if your community has a local water board that hosts external meetings about the water system. For Martin County, we have routine water board meetings that are always on the fourth Tuesday of the month starting at 6:00pm. These could last one or more hours. Within these routine water board meetings there is always time carved out for “community or public comment.” This will be a moment for any and all residents to address any questions, comments, and concerns around their water. This will be a moment for any and all residents to address any questions, comments, and concerns around their water. 

If your community does not have its own local water board, these conversations normally take place at either fiscal court meetings or city hall meetings—depending on county, community, and water system governance.  In case there is something wrong with your water, share information with other community members. Do your neighbors face the same water issues? Plan community meetings to bring folks together to share their concerns and look for root causes, for more tips and strategies on beginning this process, please see our Community Engagement Guide. In doing so, gather information about your water system. Use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to request information about your water system from the system itself! You can also request access to records on reported boil water advisory (BWA), or other consumer notifications maintained in the Drinking Water Branch, which enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act for Kentucky. 

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.

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. 

Martin County residents can sign up for local updates and alerts for the Martin County Water and Sanitation system. Here is the link to sign up for local updates and alerts from the Martin County’s Water and Sanitation website. 

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). In addition, when your water is polluted with heavy metals, boiling water can concentrate them. 

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.

National weather platforms, like the National Weather Service website and radio. If you receive a flood alert, identify the type of alert. The alert you receive may be:

• Flood Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. Stay tuned to your local radio or tv station to stay informed.

• Flood Advisory: Issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough for a warning because it is not yet imminent or occuring. However, it may cause damage and threaten life and property if caution is not 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. This User Guide can help you navigate the resource. 

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 kit are good ways to prepare for disaster. The Department of Homeland Security offers helpful resources and videos on disaster preparedness, covering everything from planning evacuation routes and creating a household communication plan to ensuring your pets are ready for emergencies and building an emergency kit.

*Note! Even if your home is not in an area described as a floodplain in the Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal or other flood map resources like the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Map Service Center, you may still face flooding risks! In September 2024, Hurricane Helene, driven by rising temperatures and heavier rainfall linked to climate change, damaged homes outside of designated flood zones in the Southeast. This shows that no matter where you live, it is important to take steps to prepare for potentially dangerous flooding.

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. All utilities should be shut off during a major flooding event. Planning ahead to ensure you can shut off natural gas, water, and electricity during an emergency can save both lives and property. See tips on shutting off utilities here. 

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. Turn off utilities and 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 floodplain, get to higher ground if you have not already. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately! Do not forget to lock your door before leaving. 

Avoid flood waters. Do not 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, including areas with flash flood warnings. 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!”

During a flood event, 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. 

After a flood, remember to stay away from high waters until they lower back to normal levels. Avoid driving if possible. 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, although cell service might be disrupted after a major flood. You may find support at a local or temporary shelter, like Red Cross, to charge devices and contact loved ones. 

Stay informed and keep checking for updates as they come through social media, websites, radio stations, and television channels. Water and power outages can be common after flooding. 

Generators and kerosene heaters are very useful when the power grid is out, but can bring their own dangers. Be sure to never use a portable gas generator inside your home or garage, and be sure there is a supply of fresh air in areas heated by kerosene. Carbon monoxide is one of the leading causes of death after storms when areas are dealing with power outages. 

Ensure that your water is safe to drink, cook, or clean with before using by checking local news stations or calling your local health department . Authorities may issue a boil water advisory after flooding so watch for these alerts. If you have a private well or spring, be sure to test the water for safety before drinking it.

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 toxic mold to grow. Additionally, standing water after flooding can contain many toxins and chemicals, including sewage.

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. If you have flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, you can find resources related to recovering from a flood and filing a claim here. 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 and you are not sure where to find help, try contacting the KY Emergency Management team. 

Sources: 

Bailey Schulz. 2024. Hurricane Helene brought major damage, spotlighting lack of flood insurance. USA Today. 

Marshall + Sterling. 2017. The Importance of Shutting Off Utilities During a Disaster. 

National Weather Service, Flood Safety Tips and Resources

National Weather Service, Flood Warning vs. Watch. 

Sean Sublette. 2024. How Climate Change Intensified Helene and Appalachian Floods. Inside Climate News. 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Make a Plan.

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. 

During times of water shortages either from drought or other causes, officials may recommend or implement 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 collecting rainwater and storing it for later use (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 clothing if needed. 

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