(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for a portion of Atchison County Rural Water District 5C public water supply system located in Atchison County.

KDHE officials issued the advisory Thursday because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.

The area affected is generally bounded by Highway 73 on the north, County Road 214th on the south, Highway 159, Highway 9 and Hamilton Road on the west and Ottawa Road on the east.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

KDHE says the advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial and parasitic contamination are resolved.