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Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for City of Galena, Cherokee County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 9, 2024

Contact: Jill Bronaugh
Jill.P.Bronaugh@ks.gov

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for City of Galena, Cherokee County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Galena public water supply system located in Cherokee County. The advisory was issued because the city could not maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination. 

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Galena indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 620-783-5265 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.

Boil Advisory Issued for the City of Galena

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 2, 2024

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Galena, Cherokee County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Galena public water supply system located in Cherokee County.

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.

The advisory took effect on August 2 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because the city cannot currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination. 

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-783-5265, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:  kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at  kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.

Code Enforcement / Animal Control Officer

The City of Galena, KS is looking for professional, self-motivated, community oriented, individuals to apply for Code Enforcement Officer positions. The Code Enforcement Officer performs a variety of technical duties in support of the City’s local code enforcement program; monitors and enforces a variety of applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations related to zoning, land use, nuisance housing, building codes, health and safety,  water waste, and other matters of public concern; The officer will also serves as a resource and provides information on City regulations to property owners, residents, businesses, the general public, and other City departments.

TYPE:  Full Time

SALARY:  Depending on Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Applicants must have high school diploma or GED, 21 years of age, valid driver’s license, U.S. citizen and no Felony convictions. Applicants must successfully complete a preliminary background check  KLETC preferred but not required. Have ability to communicate well in person, over the phone and the radio with public and other Law Enforcement employees.  Applicants recommended for hire will be required to successfully complete a post offer drug screen, written, psychological, and physical exams.

OBTAINING AN APPLICATION: 

Apply at the City Clerk’s Office, 211 W 7th Street, Galena, KS or print an Application Form, Addendum to Employment Application, Authorization to Release Information from the City Web Site: HTTPS://GALENAKS.GOV and/or mail resume to:  City of Galena, c/o Human Resource Dept., 210 Turner Drive, Galena, KS 66739 or email resume to police@galenaks.gov. 

 The City of Galena is an Equal Opportunity Employer

City of Galena Employee Application

Name
Address
How did you find out about this position?
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Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Employment Desired

Have you ever been an employee of the City of Galena?
Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States?

Employment Experience

Address
Address
Address

Educational Background

Address
Address
Did you graduate?
Address
Did you graduate?
Address
Did you graduate?

References

Include supervisors and person we may contact to verify your performance and qualifications. Do not give names of persons related to you.
Name
Your Supervisor?
Address
Name
Your Supervisor?
Address
Name
Address

Addendum

At the time of interview you will be required to sign a release form to all access to any and all of your records. This will include high school and college or university transcripts and credit information.

High School/GED Information

Copy of High School Diploma is required and must be attached.
Did you Graduate
Did you Graduate
Did you Graduate
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Copy of GED is required and must be attached.
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College or University Information

Copy of Degree(s) must be attached
Did you Graduate
Did you Graduate
Did you Graduate
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Veteran Information

If you are a veteran, please list the branch(s) of service and dates and include type of discharge received o include the “RE” code.

Places of Residence for the Last 5 Years

Address #1
Address #2
Address #3

Verification

Please check all your information, complete all fields, and attach all supporting documents before submitting this application and addendum.
I certify by signing this electronically, that all the information submitted by me on this application is true and complete, and I understand that if any false or misleading information, omissions, or misrepresentations are discovered, my application may be rejected, and if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at any time. In consideration of my employment, I agree to conform to the office’s rules and regulations, and I understand that these rules and or the employee handbook do not form a contract of employment either expressed or implied, and I agree that my employment and compensation can be terminated, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at either my or the department’s option. I also understand and agree that the terms and conditions of my employment may be changed, with or without cause and with or without notice, at any time by the office. I understand that no city representative, other than the Mayor, and then only when in writing and signed by the Mayor, has any authority to enter into an agreement for employment for any specific period of time, or to make any agreement contrary to the foregoing.

City of Galena announces Police Chief’s Retirement

The City of Galena would like to announce the retirement of Galena Police Chief Billy Joe Charles. Chief Charles will be closing out 26 years in law enforcement/corrections career of distinguished service on September 1, 2024. Chief Charles retired from the military after serving 11 years in the Army then another 12 years in the Missouri National Guard.  Chief Charles has held positions as an Inventory Controller for Lozier Corporation, Platoon Sergeant with Labette Woman’s Correctional Camp, and a Jail Administrator of the Cherokee County Jail before becoming the Police Chief for the City of Galena in February of 2016.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Charles for his dedication and years of service to not only his fellow officers, but the city as a whole.

“Chief Charles has dedicated a huge part of his life to public service and in my opinion, that is the most commendable attribute any person can carry. It’s been an honor to work alongside Chief, as he is a man of integrity, a team player, and a visionary. Thank you, Chief, for pouring your time and energy into bettering our community.” Mayor Ashley Groves.

“Working for the City of Galena has been an honor. When I was young, my grandfather was a Police Officer here. Seeing him in uniform and hearing stories of how he helped those in the community encouraged me to establish a goal to follow in his footsteps. I appreciate the Mayor, Council, co-workers, and community for their support while serving the city, allowing me to achieve this goal, and be able to retire as chief.” Chief Billy Joe Charles. The city wants to acknowledge Chief Charles’ leadership, celebrate his career, and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. In the coming weeks, the city will share details regarding the search process for the next Police Chief. Visit our website and/or Facebook page for more details and updates.

Have you filled out your water line survey?

Dear Water Customer:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued regulations requiring all public water supply (PWS) systems to develop a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) of both water system owned and your privately owned service lines. Your PWS system must submit this inventory to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) by October 16, 2024.

While these contaminants are not in the source water, they can enter tap water through the corrosion of service line piping and older household plumbing materials. Your water system is sending this survey to all customers asking that you complete and return the form below. We thank you for your cooperation in helping us with this to continue to serve clean and safe drinking water to our customers. Please take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire to the best of your ability and return to the address at the end of the questionnaire.

Additional information on the Lead and Copper Rule and identifying lead pipes and plumbing can be found on the KDHE website at: kdhe.ks.gov/547 or at the EPA Website at: epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule

Name
Do you have active water service at the address listed above?
If you are unsure on the year your home was built you can visit Cherokee County Appraisers website at https://cherokeecountyks.gov/main/departments/appraiser.
Materials List (Check all the apply)

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

This may be the year the structure was built.

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

How old are the pipes inside your house?
During testing, a Water Supply Employee would bring an empty bottle to your house, provide you with documentation and instructions on collecting the sample, and return the next day for pick up.