The Salvation Army is in Bennett today distributing more than 14,400 bottles of water after a water line was crushed yesterday by excavating equipment at the King Soopers construction site.

Although the leak was repaired, the bottled water order is still in effect until the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rescinds an order not to drink tap water.

The bottled water will be handed out at the mobile canteen set up at Bennett Public Works, 365 Palmer Ave.

"The Salvation Army will be in Bennett as long as we are needed," said Lt. Gerald Koch, the Intermountain Division Disaster Coordinator.

The Bennett city Web page say that after a large leak developed in the line, the isolation valves on the system didn’t work properly and the entire system had to be shut down until the problem could be repaired.

Residents are warned not to drink water from the tap and that boiling water may not make it safe for drinking. Bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Customers may continue to wash their hands using water from the tap.

The city states that loss of pressure can introduce disease-causing organisms into the water system including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk and should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.

For more information, please contact Town Hall at 303-644-3249.