Independent alert guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the City of Somerset, Somerset Water Service, Pulaski County Emergency Management, Kentucky Division of Water, or another government agency.
Boil-water advisories can change by street, neighborhood and utility provider. Always follow the newest notice from your actual water provider.
Somerset Water Department News: Alerts & Boil Notice 2026
Somerset, Kentucky water alert guide
Check Somerset Boil-Water Notices, Main-Break Alerts & Emergency Updates
Somerset Water Service customers should use the City of Somerset Water & Wastewater page and Pulaski County RAVE Smart911 for boil-water advisories, water-main breaks and other urgent local notices.
A major 2026 change: RAVE Smart911 replaced CodeRED as Pulaski County’s emergency alert system. The City says Smart911 sends local notices including boil-water advisories and water-main breaks.
For routine Somerset Utilities questions, call (606) 679-6366. The Water & Wastewater page lists the same main number and states after hours call 911 for emergencies.
Alert check
Somerset KY Boil-Water Advisory Status
No active City of Somerset systemwide boil advisory was displayed when reviewed
On August 22, 2026, the official City Water & Wastewater page and current City news listing reviewed for this guide did not display an active systemwide boil-water advisory for Somerset Water Service.
A boil notice can be issued for a small area after a main break or pressure loss and may change after this page is updated. Check Smart911 and City notices, and contact your actual water provider if you are unsure.
Use this order to verify a current notice
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1
Confirm who supplies your water
A Somerset mailing address does not automatically mean you are a City of Somerset Water Service customer.
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2
Check RAVE Smart911
Pulaski County uses Smart911 for local emergency notices including boil-water advisories and water-main breaks.
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3
Check the City Water & Wastewater page
The City places its primary Water Service information and alert signup route on this page.
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4
Call when the status is unclear
Somerset Utilities: (606) 679-6366. If another water district appears on your bill, call that district instead.
2026 alert-system change
RAVE Smart911 Replaced CodeRED in Pulaski County
On March 5, 2026, the City announced that Pulaski County’s new RAVE Technologies Smart911 emergency-alert system had replaced CodeRED.
Boil-Water Advisories
Local emergency managers can send notices when drinking water should be boiled before consumption.
Water Main Breaks
Smart911 is also used for non-weather emergencies such as major water-main breaks.
Other Local Alerts
The system can carry road-closure, Golden Alert, train-derailment and other emergency information.
Register for Smart911 Alerts
The City says no phone app is required to receive alerts. Once registered, users are added to the RAVE system for relevant notifications.
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1
Open the Pulaski County Smart911 registration
Use the link provided by the City of Somerset’s March 2026 emergency-alert announcement.
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2
Create your account
Enter the contact and location information requested by Smart911 so alerts can be targeted appropriately.
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3
Use a strong password
Pulaski County Emergency Management specifically recommends using a strong password for the account.
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4
Keep your address and contact details current
Accurate information makes location-specific water and emergency notifications more useful.
The City states that Pulaski County is no longer affiliated with CodeRED. Smart911 is the replacement system announced in 2026.
Safety instructions
What to Do During a Somerset Boil-Water Advisory
Kentucky drinking-water regulations require boil-water instructions to tell customers to bring water used for consumption to a rolling boil for at least three minutes.
Use boiled or approved bottled water for drinking and food preparation until the official advisory is lifted.
Drinking
Use boiled and cooled water or commercially bottled water.
Cooking
Use safe water for food preparation and foods that will not receive adequate cooking afterward.
Ice
Do not make ice with untreated tap water during the advisory. Discard ice made with affected water.
Brushing Teeth
Use boiled-and-cooled or bottled water rather than untreated tap water.
Infant Formula
Use water that meets the current official boil-advisory instructions.
Pets
Follow current public-health and utility instructions for safe drinking water for animals.
Why advisories happen
Why Somerset May Issue a Boil-Water Advisory
A boil-water advisory is often precautionary. It can be issued when water-system conditions create a possibility that contaminants could enter the distribution system.
Water Main Break
A significant break can reduce pressure and create a pathway for possible contamination.
Pressure Loss
Low or lost distribution-system pressure may trigger precautionary public-health action.
Repair / Construction
Major line repairs or utility construction can require flushing, testing and precautionary advisories.
Water Quality Concern
Testing or operational conditions can require consumer instructions while a concern is investigated.
System Emergency
Unexpected operational failures can affect a portion of the system or a wider area.
Interconnected Systems
A major incident can sometimes affect more than one Pulaski County water supplier.
Do not stop boiling too early
When Is a Somerset Boil Notice Lifted?
Do not assume an advisory ends when water pressure returns or repairs are finished. The utility must complete the required system response and announce that the advisory has been lifted.
Continue following the boil notice until your water provider or authorized emergency-alert source explicitly says the advisory has ended.
Critical local distinction
Somerset Address? First Confirm Your Water Provider
Pulaski County contains multiple water systems. A notice for one provider does not automatically apply to every Somerset-area customer.
| Provider | What to do | Important |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset Water Service | Use City of Somerset Water & Wastewater / Somerset Utilities information. | This guide focuses on this provider. |
| Southeastern Water | Check Southeastern Water Association’s own boil-advisory information. | Separate utility. |
| Western Pulaski Water | Use that district’s current official contact/alert source. | Separate utility. |
| Science Hill Water | Confirm advisories directly with the district. | Separate utility. |
| Eubank Water | Confirm advisories directly with the district. | Separate utility. |
Look at the utility name printed on your water bill. Use that provider’s notice even if your mailing address says Somerset.
Leak, outage or street flooding
Somerset Water Main Break or No-Water Problem
Report the Location
Give the closest street address, intersection or landmark and explain where water is surfacing.
Check the Scope
Determine whether only your property or multiple nearby customers appear to be affected.
Avoid Washouts
Do not enter flooded pavement, sinkholes or areas where moving water may have undermined the roadway.
The official City Water & Wastewater page currently states “after hours call 911.” Use 911 for an urgent emergency or immediate public-safety issue, not for routine billing or non-urgent account questions.
After repairs
What May Happen After a Water Main Break
Temporary Low Pressure
Pressure can change while crews isolate, repair and return a line to service.
Flushing
Crews may flush hydrants or water mains after repairs to clear the affected system.
Discolored Water
Sediment movement can temporarily affect clarity after major flow changes.
Boil Advisory
A precautionary boil notice may be issued when pressure loss creates a contamination risk.
Water Testing
Testing may be required before an advisory is officially rescinded.
Lift Notice
Wait for the provider’s official cancellation before returning to normal consumption use.
Recent official updates
Somerset Water & Emergency Alert News
| Date | Update | Why customers should care |
|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2026 | RAVE Smart911 announced as Pulaski County’s new emergency-alert system. | Smart911 now replaces CodeRED for local alerts including boil advisories and water-main breaks. |
| 2025 report currently linked | Somerset Water Service water-quality report available from the Water & Wastewater page. | Customers can review annual contaminant-testing information and drinking-water results. |
| August 1, 2023 | Somerset Water Service received Kentucky awards for its mid-size water plant and distribution system. | Official department page continues to highlight the system’s state-level recognition. |
Use the official news feed for City-issued updates and announcements.
Example of local alert process
Past Somerset Systemwide Boil Advisory: What It Shows
A useful historical example occurred in August 2020, when a major main break near Kentucky 914 and U.S. 27 led to a systemwide precautionary boil-water advisory affecting multiple Pulaski County systems.
Main Line Damage
The City reported that a contractor struck a major City water line.
Flush & Test
Crews repaired the leak, flushed the system and completed testing before the advisory was removed.
Provider-Specific Status
The City of Somerset Water Service advisory was lifted before all other Pulaski County district advisories ended.
It is included only to show why customers must verify both the affected provider and the official “advisory lifted” message.
Routine drinking-water information
Somerset Water Quality Report
The City Water & Wastewater page currently links Somerset Water Service’s annual water-quality report and encourages customers to review testing information.
Somerset Water Quality Information
Use the City’s Water & Wastewater page to access the currently posted Consumer Confidence / water-quality report.
An annual water-quality report describes regular monitoring over a reporting period. A boil-water advisory is a separate short-term emergency or precautionary instruction and should always be followed according to the current notice.
Water Department staff
Somerset KY Water Department Contacts
Dana Whitis
Phone: (606) 875-8549
Email: dwhitis@cityofsomerset.com
Tony Claunch
Phone: (606) 305-3816
Email: tclaunch@cityofsomerset.com
Jon Hammond
Phone: (606) 305-2675
Email: jhammond@cityofsomerset.com
Use Somerset Utilities at (606) 679-6366 rather than calling distribution or plant staff for routine bills, account setup or payment questions.
Bills and service accounts
Somerset Utilities Customer Service
Pay Utility Bill
The City’s online utility system allows water and gas customers to create an account and pay bills online.
Paperless Billing
Online-account users can enroll in paperless billing and payment-related text/email alerts.
Start / Transfer Service
The City directs customers to the Somerset Utilities office for new or transferred utility service.
Paperless billing text/email notifications concern the utility account. Use Smart911 for emergency notices such as boil-water advisories and water-main breaks.
Moving / account setup
Somerset Water Service Connection Basics
Somerset Utilities says customers signing up for new service or transferring service should visit the office at 306 E. Mt. Vernon St.
Bring these customer details
- Service address, including unit number
- Mailing address
- Lease copy when applicable
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license
- Phone number
- Email address
Current connection fees
Residential: $60 per water and gas meter
Commercial/business: $100 per water and gas meter
The City states these connection fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
New physical water connection
Somerset Water Tap Fees
| Meter size | Listed cost |
|---|---|
| 5/8-inch meter | $1,200 |
| 1-inch meter | $2,000 |
| 2-inch meter | $5,000 |
| Above 2 inches | City supplies meter; contractor responsible for work |
Emergency preparation
Somerset Water Alert Checklist
- Register for Smart911. Do this before a main break or boil advisory occurs.
- Know your water provider. Keep the utility name and customer-service phone saved.
- Keep bottled water available. A small emergency supply helps when an advisory or outage occurs unexpectedly.
- Save the Water & Wastewater page. Use the official City source rather than relying only on social-media reposts.
- Do not rely on an old boil notice. Every advisory should identify the affected area and current status.
- Wait for the lift notice. Repairs or clear water alone do not cancel an advisory.
Save this section
Boil-Water Notice: 30-Second Action Card
Use bottled water or water boiled according to Kentucky guidance.
Then turn off the heat and allow the water to cool before use.
Follow additional instructions in the official advisory.
Do not stop boiling simply because pressure returns or water looks clear.
Office & directions
Somerset Utilities Office
Somerset Utilities / Somerset Energy Center
306 E. Mt. Vernon St.
Somerset, KY 42501
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Phone: (606) 679-6366
Email: somersetutilities@cityofsomerset.com
Understand alert language
Somerset Water Alert Terms
- Boil-Water Advisory
- A precautionary or emergency instruction to boil water used for consumption because possible contamination may exist.
- Rolling Boil
- Continuous vigorous boiling. Kentucky instructions require at least three minutes for affected drinking water.
- Rescission / Lift Notice
- The official notice saying a boil-water advisory has ended.
- Water Main Break
- A break in a distribution pipe that can cause leakage, pressure loss and possible water advisories.
- Smart911
- The RAVE emergency-alert system adopted by Pulaski County in 2026 to replace CodeRED.
- Somerset Water Service
- The City of Somerset municipal drinking-water service covered by this guide.
- Somerset Utilities
- The City customer-service office handling water/gas accounts, payments and service signup.
- Distribution System
- The network of water mains, valves, hydrants and related infrastructure delivering treated water.
- Consumer Confidence Report
- The annual water-quality report describing testing and regulated drinking-water information.
- Precautionary Advisory
- An advisory issued because conditions could allow contamination even when contamination has not been confirmed.
Frequently searched questions
Somerset KY Water Department Alerts & Boil Notice FAQs
Is Somerset Kentucky under a boil-water advisory right now?
How do I get Somerset boil-water alerts?
Does Somerset still use CodeRED?
How long should I boil water during a Kentucky boil-water advisory?
What is the Somerset KY Water Department phone number?
Who do I call after hours for a Somerset water emergency?
Does a Somerset boil-water notice apply to all Pulaski County water customers?
Can I stop boiling water once pressure returns?
Where can I find Somerset’s water-quality report?
What should I do if I see a water main break in Somerset?
Primary verification
Official & Government Sources
- City of Somerset — Water & Wastewater
- City of Somerset — Somerset Utilities
- City of Somerset — Latest News
- City of Somerset — Smart911 Replaces CodeRED (March 5, 2026)
- Pulaski County RAVE Smart911 Registration
- City of Somerset — Department Contact Directory
- Historical City Example — 2020 Systemwide Boil Advisory
- Kentucky Administrative Regulation 401 KAR 8:020 — Advisory Procedures
- Kentucky Division of Water — Advisories
- Kentucky Division of Water — Information for Consumers