The Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan.
Ericka Cruz Guevarra/OPB
A boil water notice has been issued for the city of Sheridan due to a main pipe bursting on Friday.
It comes after the region was hit hard this week by severe weather.
City officials say the notice will remain in effect at least through Monday.
For now, residents are being asked to boil their water for one full minute. This will help eliminate any harmful bacteria that may have found gotten into the city’s water supply.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution confirmed Saturday that the facility’s water supply was interrupted Friday due to an off-site landslide damaging the main water line that feeds into the institution.
Scott Taylor with FCI Sheridan said the facility is providing inmates with access to portable water, washing stations and hygiene kits, as well as portable waste units.
“We can further share that every Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility, including FCI Sheridan, has contingency plans in place to address a large range of concerns or incidents, including water main breaks, and are fully equipped and prepared to implement these plans as necessary,” Taylor said. “For safety and security concerns, the BOP’s contingency plans are sensitive and are not available to the public.”
If bacteria are present in the water, city officials warn that it can cause sickness, especially for people who have weakened immune systems.
The city is testing the water now and says it will announce to residents when the boil notice is lifted.
