09/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2025 17:34
The Phenix City water system will lose pressure in the distribution system along 3rd Place South between 33rd and 34th Avenues South, 3rd Street South between 33rd and 34th Avenues South, 33rd Avenue South south of 3rd Street South, 34th Avenue South between 3rd Street South and Knowles Road, 4th Street South west of 33rd Avenue South.
Bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for at least three (3) minutes, and cool before using. Or use bottled water suitable for drinking. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice. ALL STORED WATER, DRINK OR ICE MADE RECENTLY FROM THIS SUPPLY SHALL BE DISCARDED.
The Boil Water Notice applies to areas in or near the locations noted above which had no water pressure Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
What Happened?
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, a fire hydrant had to be replaced due to a leak on the pipe and the hydrant being old, and said hydrant did not have a valve. Water to the area had to be turned off to allow the replacement of said hydrant. This lead to a loss of pressure in the distribution system, which may cause backpressure, back siphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems. The movement of water into a pipe from outside carries with it a potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system. These conditions may pose an imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.
What is being done?
The hydrant has been replaced and the water has been turned back on. Samples of the water in the affected area will be taken and will be tested for bacteria. After test results indicate no bacteria for two consecutive days, you will be notified that the precautionary boil water notice is lifted.
It is likely that you will need to boil water for the next few days.
Additional Information
When water lines are repaired or replaced, air can get into the pipes, and when first turning your faucet back on, you may notice air coming out of your faucets. You can run the water to flush the air out of the pipes. If you have cloudy or discolored water, run your water for about 10 minutes to clear your lines.
For more information, please contact:
Phenix City Utilities Dispatch (334-448-2903) or Phenix City Water Filtration Plant (334-291-4757)
Please share this information with other people who drink this water, especially anyone who may not get this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
View the official notice.