TULSA, OK – [August 10, 2013] – The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced that the boil advisory issued yesterday for the City of Jenks has been lifted. The water is now safe for human consumption. Food establishments that serve open food are therefore permitted to reopen to the public provided they follow the Tulsa Health Department’s established protocols for reopening listed below.
THD is working to notify food service entities affected by the boil advisory and ensure that proper food safety measures are carried out before reopening. The advisory to boil water was issued after initial and follow-up water samples indicated the presence of E. coli.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR POST-BOIL ORDER
Summary
Flush the building water lines and clean faucets screens, water lines strainers on mechanical dishwashing machines
Purge all water using fixtures and appliances, such as ice machines, beverage makers, hot water heaters, etc. Clean and sanitized all fixtures, sinks and equipment connected to waterlines
More Specific Details
Cold Water Faucets: Run tap water until the water feels cold, 1 minute or more, before drinking, tooth brushing, or using for food preparation.
Hot Water Faucets: To clear hot water pipes and water heater of untreated water, turn on all hot water faucets and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank and 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger. Never use water from the “hot” faucet for drinking, cooking, or other internal-consumption purposes. After this flushing, hot water is then safe to use for washing hands, and for hand washing of dishes, pots and pans, etc.
Refrigerators: Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed by at least one quart of water.
Ice cubes: Automatic ice dispensers should be emptied of ice made during the boil order. Then, discard ice made over an additional 24 hour period to assure complete purging of the water supply line.
The Tulsa Health Department works to safeguard public health through education on safe food handling practices and the regulation of food service establishments. THD performs more than 11,000 inspections of approximately 3,500 food service establishments annually. In addition, approximately 500 food safety training classes are conducted each year to educate restaurant employees and other food employees on food safety.
For more information including technical assistance for food establishments please contact the THD Food Safety division at 918-693-7406.
