By James Massara

Bucyrus city administrators are taking steps to ensure mass public notification of hazards is possible after a citywide boil advisory was issued Sept. 5. Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser said Crawford County residents soon will be able to sign up for the Crawford County Public Notification System with the option to sign up for Bucyrus city notifications.

City administration and water department employees have two upcoming scheduled meetings with the Crawford County Emergency Management Agency on the implementation of the system. Once it is functional, the registration link will be on the City of Bucyrus website and Bucyrus residents’ water bills. The EMA already uses the system for weather advisories for county residents.

The measures are being taking after many local residents claimed the notice of a citywide boil advisory was not timely or efficient.

In a press conference, representatives of the Bucyrus Water Department said the delay came from contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency after hours and waiting on a response.

A release from the city said a drop in pressure was recorded at 4:45 p.m. and Bucyrus city employees contacted the EPA at 6:15 p.m. for advice and protocol on issuing a precautionary boil advisory. The EPA responded to the city at 7:45 p.m. and an advisory was released at 7:51 p.m.

Officials said the delay in contacting the EPA was caused by the need to identify if water pressure dropped below 20 pounds-per-square-inch. After multiple calls of no water flowing into city residences and a local factory’s fire system alarming for drop in water pressure, it was determined the pressure did fall below 20 pounds.

The drop in pressure was caused by a malfunction while checking relay switches installed by a private contractor. A water department employee then shut down a high service pump to avoid potential damage to city water lines.

Reser said the likelihood of the event occurring as it did was extremely unlikely.

“We’ve had two train derailments in my time as mayor,” he said. “And not one of us can ever recall a citywide boil advisory, if that says how likely it is, but we need to be prepared for anything no matter how unlikely it may be.”

Reser said he hopes everyone takes advantage of the system when it becomes an option, so direct communication between city officials and the public may be made.

@JamesMassaraCCN