A broken water main west of Seward means some residents will need to avoid the city's tap water.
     David Lathrop, Seward water/wastewater superintendent, said March 23 that both the 10-inch and 16-inch mains were broken west of Seward. The original break, which happened March 22, was 1/4 mile west of Longview Fibre on the north side of the railroad tracks.
     "There are leaks on both mains, and the old valves are not sealing tight," Lathrop said.
     Because the city of Seward will be bypassing the treatment plant and will be supplying water directly from its wellfields, the nitrate levels could get as high as 13 parts per million (ppm).
     Lathrop said the water main system is laid out in a grid pattern, so "it can run around the long way."
     The city has opened two tie-ins that are normally closed. One is an eight-inch main on Highway 34 west of Seward, and the other connects to the south wellfield near the Seward Municipal Airport.
     "That allows us to pump from all fields," Lathrop said.
     The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has determined that pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants below the age of six months should not drink tap water or beverages prepared with tap water with nitrates above 10 ppm. Boiling, freezing or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level.
     Individuals who fall into the listed categories are urged to purchase bottled distilled water until further notice. The city will reimburse the costs of eligible individuals for a maximum of one gallon of distilled water per day upon presentation of a receipt and proof of the condition that necessitated the bottled water.
     Adults and children older than six months may drink the tap water; however, individuals with specific health concerns may wish to contact their doctor.
     Efforts are being made to remedy this problem as soon as possible.
     Lathrop said crews were working March 23 and, if all went well, that the treatment plant would be back online that evening. Otherwise, he said, it could be two to three days.
     Those who are not to drink the city's tap water should avoid it for about a week, he said.