News & Updates
Canceled Mandatory Boil Order for the City of McAlester
The City of McAlester received water quality testing results on samples from throughout the system at approximately 2:50PM on May 8, 2023. All samples were satisfactory and well below allowable levels of any contaminants according to the standards set by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for public drinking water. At this time, we are canceling the Mandatory Boil Order effective immediately. We apologize for the disruption of service and greatly appreciate the cooperation and patience of residents and businesses during this time.

DRINKING WATER WARNING MANDATORY DO NOT USE ORDER for CITY OF MCALESTER and RURAL WATER DISTRICTS #5, 6, 7, 9 & 16 Public Water Supply ID: 1020609
DRINKING WATER WARNING
McAlester PWA
MANDATORY:DO NOT INGEST THE DRINKING WATER
Due to the potential for contamination following the loss of pressure and the emergency use of non-standard equipment, the drinking water supplied by the McAlester PWA water system may be unsafe for human consumption. Water consumers should not ingest the water, including drinking, food preparation, baby formula preparation, tooth brushing, and ice making, etc. The water may be used for handwashing, bathing, and flushing toilets.
We will provide you with more information when it is available. If you have specific health concerns about this situation, please contact your doctor. This advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Questions concerning this situation should be addressed to: The City of McAlester by calling 918-423-1212.
Address of the PWS:
5200 Waterworks Rd.
McAlester, OK 74501
Further general information can be found at the DEQ website: www.DEQ.state.ok.us
Corrective Action:
The McAlester Public Water Authority is operating in accordance with OAC 252, Chapter 626 and 631, including:
- Maintenance of reliable flow with a minimum pressure of twenty-five (25) psi to all parts of the distribution system;
- Maintenance of a minimum free chlorine residual (concentration) of at least 1.0 ppm at the point of entry to the distribution system and at least 0.2 ppm everywhere within the distribution system.
- Restoring the high service pumps to service and disconnecting the temporary fire engine/high service pump bypass;
- After the restoration of pressure to all parts of the distribution system and the disconnection of the temporary fire engine/high service pump bypass, the public water supply is to have at least forty-eight (48) hours of operation while maintaining adequate pressure, maintaining adequate chlorine residuals, and conducting flushing operations to remove water of unknown or questionable quality from the distribution system introduced by the temporary fire engine/high service pump bypass;
- The collection of safe bacteriological samples from (5) five points distributed within the distribution system taken on two (2) consecutive days;
- Completion of all required corrective actions as stipulated by the PWS Engineering and Enforcement District Engineer or Engineering Manager; and
- Proper monitoring and reporting of samples for total coliforms and other analytes.
- Continuous flushing and monitoring of water distribution system.
The correction of construction and operational deficiencies must be met within a time period as stipulated by the PWS Engineering and Enforcement Section District Engineer or Engineering Manager.
DEQ will consider suspending the DO NOT USE ORDER after all required corrective actions have been completed, all operational deficiencies have been corrected, and all required follow-up samples have been analyzed as free of coliform bacteria.
DRINKING WATER WARNING MANDATORY DO NOT USE ORDER for CITY OF MCALESTER and RURAL WATER DISTRICTS #5, 6, 7, 9 & 16 Public Water Supply ID: 1020609
DO NOT INGEST THE DRINKING WATER
Do Not Use Water Order Issued for McAlester PWA
For Immediate Release: May 4, 2023
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has advised the McAlester PWA, located in Pittsburg County, to inform users of its drinking water not to use the water. The water is not to be used for consumption, food preparation, dishwashing or brushing teeth. The water may be used for handwashing and showering. It is recommended that consumers use bottled water or water from another source. This order was issued due to the potential for contamination following the loss of pressure and the emergency use of non-standard equipment.
The following water systems purchase water from McAlester PWA, and therefore are also under the do not use order:
- Pittsburg Co. RWD 9
- Pittsburg Co. RWD 6
- Pittsburg Co. RWD 7
- Pittsburg Co. RWD 16
- Pittsburg Co. RWD 5
If a water customer is unsure which water system supplies their water, the customer should check their water bill.
Residents will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires that consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers.
Water Update # 1
Water Update # 2
City Offices Closed 12pm-5pm March 29th, 2023
CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH NOON TO 5:00 P.M. FOR THE FUNERAL OF MCALESTER POLICE OFFICER JOSEPH BARLOWCITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH NOON TO 5:00 P.M. FOR THE FUNERAL OF MCALESTER POLICE OFFICER JOSEPH BARLOW
City Offices Closed 8am-1pm March 22nd, 2023
City Offices Closed
No Business to be Discussed
FY 2022-2024 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal - McAlester Regional Airport
City of McAlester receives $20,000 for glass removal at Hunter Park from TSET.
Pittsburg County Burn Ban Extended
Canceled Voluntary Precautionary Boil Advisory City of McAlester and Rural Water Districts 5, 6, 7, 9 & 16
Canceled Voluntary Precautionary Boil Advisory City of McAlester and Rural Water Districts 5, 6, 7, 9 & 16
Voluntary Precautionary Boil Advisory City of McAlester and Rural Water Districts 5, 6, 7, 9 & 16
WARNING VOLUNTARY, PRECAUTIONARY BOIL ADVISORY CITY OF MCALESTER and RURAL WATER DISTRICTS #5, 6, 7, 9 & 16
Public Water Supply ID: 1020609
September 27, 2022
Due to high turbidity levels in the drinking water supplied to the City of McAlester and reliant water districts may be unsafe for human consumption. As a precaution, it is advised that the consumers of this water system bring the water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, consumption, food preparation, baby formula preparation, dish washing, tooth brushing, ice making, wound care, and bathing infants who may ingest bath water. Alternatively, bottled water or another acceptable water source may be used.
Important Note: This precautionary boil advisory is not related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and it is important to continue to wash your hands during the precautionary boil advisory.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Questions concerning this situation should be addressed to the McAlester Police Department at 918-423-1212. The City of McAlester has collected water samples from the designated areas throughout the system and they are on the way to Tulsa for lab testing. The samples take up to 24- 48 hours to process. If all samples are satisfactory, we will lift the voluntary precautionary boil advisory at that time.
Address of PWS:
5200 Waterworks Rd.
McAlester, OK 74501
County: Pittsburg
Further general information can be found on the DEQ website: www.deq.ok.gov