A boil order is now in effect for the Town of Junction after severe flash flooding contaminated the community’s water system, county officials said Wednesday. Residents have been told to boil tap water before using it for drinking, making ice, preparing food or brushing teeth, and the county is handing out bottled water at the Junction Fire House. Officials say tap water can still be used for flushing toilets and showering, but it is not safe to drink unless it has been boiled.
Officials say tap water is unsafe
The Piute County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that flooding in City Creek and Junction left the municipal system unsafe to drink and urged residents, “Please do not drink the water without boiling it first,” according to KJZZ. The county is providing bottled water at the Junction Fire House and working to obtain more cases for the public. Officials say it is not yet clear how long it will take to flush and clear Junction’s system.
Runoff from the Cottonwood burn scar worsened flooding
State and local reports tie the contamination and debris flows to heavy monsoonal storms that swept across the Cottonwood Fire burn scar, sending mud, rocks and vegetation into canyons and downstream infrastructure, per reporting by KSL. The same storms washed out sections of State Route 153, and the Utah Department of Transportation has closed SR-153 indefinitely while crews assess damage and the risk of more debris flows, according to UDOT. Officials warn that additional storms could trigger more runoff even as recovery work continues.
Roads blocked and local response
Emergency crews responded quickly, sandbagging low-lying areas and diverting traffic off U.S. 89 after “large debris fields” were reported between Junction and nearby communities, according to local reports. Piute County has also begun lining up contractors and funding for repairs: the county posted a public notice seeking emergency proposals to address “floods after fires” and scheduled a July 23 meeting for prospective firms at 550 North Main in Junction, per the county site. Residents who need help right away are being directed to the Junction Fire House for bottled water and local guidance.
How residents should treat water
Officials are urging residents to use bottled water if they have it. If not, tap water should be boiled before drinking or using it in food preparation. Federal guidance recommends bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, with a longer boil at higher elevations, and nearby agencies have recently suggested longer boil times during advisories. Residents are encouraged to review technical guidance from the EPA and local advisories for specifics. For updates on water distribution points, testing results and official instructions, check Piute County’s website or the sheriff’s office social channels.
