A widespread boil water advisory has been issued across parts of Grant County, Kentucky, including the entire city of Williamstown, areas of Dry Ridge, and multiple rural roads supplied by the Bullock Pen Water District. The advisory was triggered after a significant water main break caused system pressure to fall below safe operating levels, raising the risk of bacterial contamination.
Local officials confirmed that pressure loss affected a large section of the distribution network, prompting a precautionary advisory while crews carry out repairs and laboratory testing. The advisory remains active until water samples return safe and the district formally rescinds it.
Who Is Affected
The advisory covers:
- All Williamstown Municipal Water customers
- Dry Ridge residents who receive water from Williamstown
- Bullock Pen Water District customers, including:
- Heekin Road
- Taft Highway / US-25 corridor
- Suckle Run Road
- Jonesville Road
- Swope Road
- Old Cynthiana Road
- Several connecting hollows and side roads
This multi-system advisory reflects the interconnected nature of Grant County’s water infrastructure.
What Residents Should Do Right Now
Until the advisory is lifted, residents in all affected areas should:
- Bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, washing produce, or brushing teeth.
- Use boiled or bottled water for preparing infant formula, beverages, and ice.
- Discard any ice made after the pressure drop and turn off automatic icemakers.
- Flush taps briefly if water appears cloudy or aerated, then boil before use.
Restaurants and food-service operators are generally directed to boil water for at least 3 minutes or use approved alternatives.
What NOT to Do During a Boil-Water Advisory
To stay safe during the advisory, residents should avoid:
- Drinking unboiled tap water, even if it appears normal.
- Relying on fridge or pitcher filters as substitutes for boiling — these do not remove harmful microbes.
- Using tap water for baby formula without boiling first.
- Using ice from automatic icemakers until several cycles of safe water have passed through the system.
These precautions reflect Kentucky’s standard safety guidance during pressure-loss events.
Why the Advisory Was Required
Water main breaks and sudden pressure losses can:
- Weaken chlorine and disinfectant levels
- Allow soil or untreated water to infiltrate pipes
- Pull sediment and debris into the system
- Increase the risk of bacteria entering the water supply
Kentucky regulations require a boil-water advisory whenever pressure drops below safe thresholds or contamination cannot be ruled out. Once repairs are complete, teams will collect bacteriological samples and send them for testing. The advisory remains in place until two consecutive clean results confirm the water is safe.
Extra Protection for Homes After the Advisory Ends
Many residents choose to add a certified reverse-osmosis filtration system once advisories are lifted — especially in areas where main breaks or aging infrastructure cause repeated disruptions. These systems can reduce contaminants such as PFAS, sediment, dissolved solids, and disinfection byproducts, offering long-term peace of mind. View Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis System
Sources & Notes
- Williamstown & Dry Ridge Boil Advisory Announcement – Local utility update
https://www.grantky.com - Bullock Pen Water District Advisory – Roads affected & testing timeline
https://www.bpwd.org - Kentucky Division of Water – General guidance on boil-water advisories and pressure-loss risks
https://eec.ky.gov
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