Due to a water filtration system failure Monday, the residents of Hot Sulphur Springs are ordered to boil and conserve their drinking and cooking water.

The order came from the Colorado Department of Health after the turbidity (cloudiness) of the water at the town’s water filtration plant reached high levels on Monday morning.

“The order is now in effect until further notice,” said Darin Foran, Hot Sulphur’s mayor pro tem. “We were working to fix the water filtration problem today and the Department of Health issued this order to make sure of everyone’s safety.”

Foran explained the normal turbidity level of the water being filtered at the town’s plant is 0.2. However, a water sample taken Monday morning showed levels of 3.65 which is above the maximum safety limit of 1 turbidity unit.

While the current order remains in effect, Hot Sulphur residents should not drink or cook with tap water until it has been boiled for at least one minute.

“People can shower, wash their hands, flush their toilets or wash clothes in the water,” Foran said. “But we’d prefer they don’t use it right now to help conserve the town’s water.”

The town was trying to reach all residents about the drinking water warning, Foran said. The town was going to call all residents Monday evening, using reverse 9-1-1 to issue the warning.

Foran also announced bottled water is now available at Hot Sulphur Springs Town Hall and will be given to residents requesting it. For more information, call Town Hall at 725-3932.

In attempting to deal with this water problem, the town is working in conjunction with the Grand County Office of Emergency Management, Grand County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Health.