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A map of the paraquat contamination in the Walnut Bayou Water Association in Madison Parish, Louisiana. (Image credit: Louisiana Department of Health)
Roughly 200 residents in Madison Parish remain under a “do not use” water advisory after a rural water system was contaminated with a highly poisonous herbicide last week.
State health officials are also asking residents in the affected area near the Mississippi River west of Vicksburg to thoroughly flush their tap water systems.
The contamination occurred Thursday in the Walnut Bayou Water System when a farmer was filling a tank with the weed killer paraquat and a water line broke just southeast of the village of Richmond. The low pressure the water break created allowed the contents of the farmer’s tank to backflow into the water line, according to the Louisiana Department of Health .
Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical that can cause severe tissue damage, organ failure and even death. Exposure can occur through ingestion or contact with the skin. No proven cure or antidote exists for paraquat poisoning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The herbicide is only available for sale to commercially licensed applicators.
People should avoid bathing, cleaning and washing clothes with water contaminated with the substance. Infants, children and people with respiratory illness are most at risk of harmful health effects of paraquat consumption or exposure.
A “do not use” advisory applies to humans and animals. It differs from a boil advisory in that the water would not be safe even if it’s boiled. The advisory has affected roughly 200 residents and businesses, LDH spokesperson Kevin Litten said.
Preliminary state testing results have shown paraquat remains in one of the water system’s end points.
Walnut Bayou Water System continues to conduct extensive flushing, and state health officials are collecting another round of samples to determine remaining levels of the herbicide. In the more recent round of testing, six out of seven samples showed non-detectable levels of paraquat. The one sample that had detectable levels contained an amount below the Environmental Protection Agency health advisory threshold for short-term exposure to paraquat.
The extensive sampling and testing process typically takes about five days and includes quality assurance measures.
Health officials urged residents to flush their systems by running their hot and cold water taps for about 15 minutes to ensure no paraquat remains. They should flush their ice makers, dishwashers and washing machines as well:
- After discarding any ice currently in the ice maker, allow the container to fill completely, discard the second batch of ice and clean the container before replacing.
- If the refrigerator has a cold water dispenser, replace the filter and flush the dispenser for 5 minutes.
- For dishwashers and washing machines, after flushing hot water taps, allow dishwashers and washing machines to run for one hot cycle and one cold cycle while empty.
It is important customers begin flushing their home plumbing now that Walnut Bayou Water System has been flushing the entire system, health officials said. Water pipes in homes could still retain some paraquat contamination after the system flush occurred if customers have not been regularly running their baths, showers and taps.
Free bottled water is available at the Walnut Bayou Water Association Office, 1105 Highway 602, in Tallulah.
Madison Parish officials are coordinating water delivery for those who can’t get to the pick-up site. For additional support, call (318) 574-2463.
Residents can also reach the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 574-1833 to request water delivery.
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