Rawlins County Public Health Department

06/02/2026

Protect yourself from ultraviolet (UV) rays in style. UV clothing can help you stay cool, covered and sun safe.

UV Awareness: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/58735/UV-Awareness-Flyer-2026-PDF?bidId=

05/27/2026

Keep an eye out for harmful algal blooms (HABs) at the lake this weekend.

HABs can develop rapidly. They release toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals.

Knowing how to identify HABs can keep your family, pets and livestock safe.

HABs can look like foam, scum, mats, or paint floating on the water surface. They can smell bad and the water can look blue, green, brown, orange, red or paint-like.

KNOW IT. AVOID IT. REPORT IT.

Check to see if your lake is on the list of advisories for HABs at kdhe.ks.gov/HAB Lake advisories are posted every Friday from April-October.

If you notice a HAB, please report it to KDHE at 855-422-5253, or at kdhe.ks.gov/HAB

05/24/2026

Revised -Do Not Drink Order Downgraded to Boil Water Advisory for the City of McDonald, Rawlins County Kansas Department of Health and Environment sent this bulletin at 05/24/2026 01:16 PM CDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2026 Contact: Ji...

05/20/2026

**City of McDonald in Rawlins County**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 20, 2026
Contact: Jill Bronaugh
[email protected]
Do Not Drink Order Issued for City of McDonald, Rawlins County
TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued Do Not Drink Order for City of McDonald public water supply system located in Rawlins County because of the possible presence of elevated nitrate in the source water.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
DO NOT GIVE TAP WATER TO INFANTS. Infants up to six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.
Water, juice, and formula intended for infants up to six months should not be prepared with tap water. Use bottled water or other water low in nitrates for this purpose.
DO NOT BOIL TAP WATER. Nitrate levels cannot be reduced by boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water settle. Excessive boiling can concentrate the nitrates as water evaporates because the nitrates remain in the liquid.
Water should not be ingested or used for brushing teeth. Use bottled water for these purposes.
Do not use water to cook or prepare food.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
Tap water can be used for bathing. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.
Tap water may be used to flush toilets.
The order took effect on May 20, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of nitrate contamination in excess of the MCL are resolved.
Limited bottled water is being supplied by the system to people with medical conditions and infants at risk.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a Do Not Drink Order, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-538-2222, 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 Do Not Drink Order on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.
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When a public water supply system experiences a disruption in service there are precautions that consumers may need to take during and after the incident.

05/20/2026

Diarrhea and swimming

Diarrhea and swimming don't mix! Follow CDC's steps for healthy swimming to help protect yourself and those you care about from illness at the pool.
Did you know swallowing even a small amount of water contaminated with diarrhea germs can make you sick for up to 3 weeks? Don't swallow water at the pool or splash pad!
Don't swim or let your kids swim if they are sick with diarrhea. One person with diarrhea can contaminate the entire pool and make others sick for up to 3 weeks.
Stay out of splash pads if you are sick with diarrhea. Jets can rinse germs found in p**p off bodies and swallowing the water with those germs can make you sick. Chlorine doesn't kill germs instantly.

05/19/2026

Summer is coming. Now's the perfect time to get prepared for all of the fun adventures it has to offer.

Summer Preparedness: https://www.ready.gov/summer-ready

05/18/2026

https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/667

Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring is concurrent with the water recreation season, April 1 through October 31. The public is encouraged to stay informed year-round because exposure through contact or ingestion can cause illness for animals and humans. Blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rap...

05/13/2026

Here are some quick tips to use when air quality is poor especially if you are: pregnant, having breathing problems, have asthma, or have other health issues.

What you can do: https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/about/ -what-you-can-do

05/12/2026

Breathing is something most of us never think about, but for many it's not easy. Asthma affects millions, turning simple moments into challenges. But with proper care, awareness and support, people with asthma can live active lives. Asthma Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/about/index.html