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1. How do I find out if my water is okay?

Your local water utility has a process in place to alert you if any problems exist with your tap water. However, if you have special concerns, you should feel free to contact your local utility. The phone number of your local water utility is 712-546-5555. LeMars Water Department also has an Annual Water Quality Report and Water Quality Reports that include how your utility treats water to safeguard your health, and other water facts. These reports can be found in our archive center.

2. How will I be informed if something is wrong with my water?

The LeMars Water Department is required to notify their customers if their water may not be safe to drink. Prompt customer notification is an important part of our emergency plan. The LeMars Water Department may issue "boil water or do-not-drink notices" when testing indicates that contamination may be present. Often, this boil alert will be broadcast on local television or radio station.

Some utilities employ a system that automatically call its customers with specific guidance, or they go to door-to-door if it is an emergency situation. Contact the Le Mars Water Department at 712-546-5555 for more information.

3. If something is wrong with the water, will it be cloudy or change color?

Water will not usually change color if something is wrong. Slight color changes usually do not indicate a serious water problem. For example, a color change could result from minute quantities of iron in your water. This can occur immediately following a flushing of the distribution system. Sometimes dissolved air escaping from the water will cause bubbles that make water look cloudy. In either case, nothing is wrong with the water quality. Both are safe to drink.

4. If my water is contaminated, will it taste or smell differently?

Most contaminants are detected by sophisticated testing conducted by your water utility on a regular basis, and not by taste and odor.

However, some contaminants can be detected by smell, and if you have a concern about how your water tastes or smells, stop using it and contact the Water Department at 712-546-5555 immediately.

Your utility has been testing the water for a wide range of contaminants for years to ensure that you and your family have plenty of clean, safe drinking water and will continue to provide these safeguards.

5. Should I buy bottled water?

The Environmental Protection Agency has set strict quality standards that all tap water must comply with. Bottled water is not held to these same standards. Drinking bottled water is a matter of personal choice. However, if you've never had a problem with your tap water, there's really no reason to start drinking bottled water now.

6. How much water should I store for emergencies?

Storing an adequate supply of potable (drinking) water is always a good emergency preparedness idea. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, even power outages can interrupt the flow of water. Depending on your personal circumstance, you should store enough water for no less than 3 days and no more than 14 days.

The average American household uses an average of 2 gallons of water each day for drinking and cooking. To determine your exact usage, conduct a 2-day test measuring the water you use to drink, brush your teeth, and cook. Don't forget kitchen cleanup.

Store the water either in new containers or containers used to store drinking water. Do not use discarded milk containers. Make sure the containers are airtight. Store them in a cool location and change them every few months to keep the water fresh.

7. Should I start filling up jugs of water now?

Yes, it is always wise to have an adequate supply of drinking water on hand.

8. What if my drinking water comes from my own water well?

If you are 1 of the approximately 21 million people in the United States who use a private well water, you are responsible for the testing and quality of your water. Contact your local department of health to determine where your water can be tested. You can also contact the
Le Mars Water Department.

9. How can I help keep water safe?

Water plants, storage tanks, towers and other utility facilities are located throughout your community. Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around these facilities. If you see something unusual, contact the police immediately. Also be aware that everyday activities may contribute to the health of your drinking water.

10. What should I do if something is wrong with my water?

Be aware of any alerts, notifications, or boil water orders issued by your water utility. Minimize water use and discontinue tap water use drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth. You should use stored water for personal and consumption needs.

If a boil water advisory is issued, boil your drinking water vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes. Aerating the water from 1 container to another (vigorously pouring back and forth) or adding a tiny pinch of salt may improve taste.

If you have a compromised immune system and require sterile water, place water in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.