Belle Mayor Josh Seaver released a statement Sept. 12 on the City of Belle’s Facebook page in order to address concerns some citizens have voiced at the current city water issues.

In the post, Seaver wrote, “I would like to take a few minutes to address the concerns being voiced over the water distribution system, the issues we’ve experienced over the past couple weeks and the efforts being made to correct these issues.

“The water main breaks plaguing Belle have put a huge spotlight on the fact that the [city’s] water distribution infrastructure is aging, nearly to the point of being past it’s life.

“Several hundred man hours and several thousand dollars have been invested in repairs.

“The number of infrastructure problems as of late are unprecedented for our community, and it’s not going to get any better... at least not until the procurement of funding allows us to replace virtually every water main in the city proper.

“Funding options are currently being explored, however that process is a lengthy one. Further details will be shared as they become available.

“The situation we are facing is a direct result of shortsighted thinking, lack of planning and a policy of band-aid fixes over the course of several decades.

“We are working diligently to change that way of doing business. 

“READ THIS PART CAREFULLY:

“At NO time during the past two weeks has our water been UNSAFE for consumption.

“At NO time has any part of our community been under a BOIL ORDER.

“It has been a BOIL ADVISORY only.

“A boil advisory is a precautionary measure issued by the water utility to alert customers when there is a potential for compromised water quality. It is recommended that customers boil all water used in the preparation of food and beverage for consumption for two minutes.

“On Friday, the [City] of Belle [Public Works Department] reached out to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for guidance. 

“Their recommendation was to treat the ENTIRE water supply system. 

“DNR aided in the necessary calculations for chemical treatment.

“As has been the case since this fiasco began, KRCG, local radio and Facebook posts have been made available to update citizens on the situation.

“Given the situation and the [city’s] desire to ensure that we provide safe drinking water to our citizens the decision was made to put the information out through mass media.

“Should the situation dictate an actual BOIL ORDER, then door to door interactions will become necessary.

“If there are any other questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me directly. I can be reached through the city administration office at 573-859-3513.”

The City of Belle is extending the boil advisory through Sept. 15 for the affected area south of West Seventh Avenue and south of Linn Avenue and Highway 28. 

Water samples were taken on Tuesday and the results are expected back Wednesday afternoon. If the boil advisory needs to be extended, there will be announcements made on the city’s Facebook page as well as other media sources.

Tuesday afternoon the city was hit with another water main break; this one occurred on the corner of Apple Avenue and Fourth Street. City workers blocked off Apple Avenue in the area and removed a section of blacktop so they could get to the issue.

Tony Baretich said that as of now there is reason to extend the boil advisory beyond Sept. 15, but if the situation warrants it residents will be made aware of the change.