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Tag: Water

Assistance Programs

Posted on by djbechard

If you or someone you know needs water or energy assistance, take advantage of the application period for these programs that runs until March 30.

Emergency Water Assistance Program – this program’s purpose is to restore or prevent disconnection of water to Kansas households earning less that 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level which equals $3,469 a month for a family of four.

This program provides a one-time payment to restore or prevent disconnection of drinking water and wastewater services. This program is administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. DCF is required to pay public water utility vendors directly on behalf of qualifying households.

Once the funding is depleted the program will end. Applications, instructions, and income limits can be found online at www.DCF.KS.gov/EWAP.

 

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program – this federally-funded program helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit. Applications must be received prior to 5 p.m. March 31.

In order to qualify, applications must meet the following requirements:

  1. An adult living at this address must be personally responsible for paying heating costs at the current residence, payable either to the landlord or the fuel vendor.
  2. Applicants must demonstrate a recent history of payments toward purchase of the primary heating energy.
  3. The combined gross income (before deductions) of all persons living at the address may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

More information can be found at https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx  or by calling 1-800-432-0043

By: Brenda Langdon

Storm Damage Cleanup

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If your home has been affected by the recent heavy rains, here are some guidelines to safely and effectively clean and restore your storm-damaged home and contents.

  • After a flood, it is important to take every precaution to ensure the safety of your well water. Have the water sampled and tested to ensure it is safe to drink.
  • Discard all food that came in contact with floodwaters, including canned goods. It is impossible to know if the containers were damaged and the seals compromised.
  • Discard wooden cutting boards, wooden spoons, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers. There is no way to safely clean them if they have come in contact with flood waters.
  • Never enter a building that might have structural damage. Look for signs such as cracks, sagging rooflines, leaning and foundation shifts. Make sure electrical and gas supplies are disconnected and inspected for chemical contamination.
  • Be alert to possible invasion by snakes, fire ants and other creatures.
  • Mold problems can result in damage to materials and health. The longer the mold is allowed to grow, the greater the risk and the harder it is to remedy. As soon as the floodwaters recede and it is safe to return, don’t delay cleanup and dry out.
  • If you need to clean mold, follow these steps and refer to EPA guidelines online at epa.gov/moldto do it as safely and effectively as you can.
  • Cleaning and drying water-soaked floors is difficult. In the aftermath of a flood, contamination by mud, silt, sewage and mold compounds the problem. Surfaces exposed to rising flood water or sewage should be both cleaned and disinfected.
  • Some fixtures, wiring and appliances such as laundry equipment, dishwashers with replaceable insulation and microwave ovens, may be salvageable. However, they should be inspected by a service professional before use. Unplug, clean and dry appliances, but do not use them before servicing.
  • Check to make sure that tetanus shots are up-to-date. Get a booster shot if you have not had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years. Some health departments recommend a booster within five years if you are working in flood water.

By: Brenda Langdon

Your Reusable Water Bottle – Keep it Clean!

Posted on by Marci Metz

If you fill a water bottle and carry your healthy drink along with you, congrats! But it is important to keep your reusable bottle clean or you could actually make yourself sick. Here are some key points to good clean (healthy) drinking!

  • Wash and disinfect your water bottle at least every few days, if not more often. It’s simple – just add a few drops of dish soap to your water bottle, fill about half full with warm water, screw on the top and shake! Rinse the bottle thoroughly and leave open to air dry.
  • If your bottle is in need of deeper cleaning (think – to remove an odor?) after you wash with soap and water, use a vinegar soak of 1/5 white vinegar and 4/5 water. Let it sit in the bottle overnight, then rinse thoroughly with water in the morning.
  • Disposable plastic bottles aren’t made to be used more than once. By washing and reusing a single-use bottle, you may begin to breakdown the plastic and expose yourself to harmful chemicals.

By:  Ashley Svaty