Cape Girardeau boil water advisory expected to remain in place until December 11

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – After a cast iron water main broke near the Cape Rock Water Plant early Monday morning, residents across the city are under a boil water advisory.

Monday morning — the latest issue when it comes to the public water supply in Cape Girardeau — workers were called to East Cape Rock Drive to repair a water main break. JJ Ridings, with Alliance Water Resources, said it was a big ordeal.

“Between 2:30 A.M. and 3:00 A.M., we had a 14 inch main break,” he said. “This water main is one of the more critical mains in our water system. Most of the water travels through it to feed the system.”

Ridings said these breaks are common — we reported on several similar breaks in October.

“We have some all the time. We have for a while,” he said. “For a while there before the election it became a hot topic. I think they were talked about more and heard about more so they were more noticeable, but we have main breaks often.”

Ridings said the aging water system needs to be replaced, but since the water proposal was not passed during the general election last month, these kinds of problems are expected to continue.

“There are certain projects that are still moving forward, but not enough to do everything that needs to be done,” he said.

A precautionary boil water advisory is in place until water test results come back which is expected by or before Wednesday, December 11 at 6 pm.

The city advises people to use bottled or boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking or washing fruits and vegetables. Water from the tap should be vigorously boiled for three minutes and cooled before use.

Broadway Bistro and Vintage Trade General Manager Dina Godfrey shared with Fox 23 how a boil advisory affects their coffee shop — just one example of an affected business in the local food industry.

The espresso machine has a holding tank for boiling water so coffee is safe to serve but the soda machine is out of use for the time being because there isn’t an option to filter the water before it goes through the machine.

They’re using bagged ice and jugs of water to serve customers — an additional cost to the business.

“The cost of bagged ice is pretty high, versus the machine that we already own that makes ice itself,” Godfrey said. “It becomes really difficult to find jug water and bottled water at a time like this because it’s in high demand. It’s just a cost that we don’t normally have.”

Godfrey said the boil advisory impacts her as a resident, as well.

“I have a concern for my animals as well as my family,” she said. “You know, it throws a wrench in your everyday routine.”