Shreveport Boil Advisory: Here’s What Could Happen If You Don’t [VIDEO]

Dr. Martha Whyte of the state's Office of Public Health talks about the boil advisory for the Shreveport water system, why it's in place and when it could be rescinded.

"Every water system has to draw samples every month," says Whyte, explaining that for normal testing Shreveport submits 120 samples monthly, "For a water boil, they'll draw about 60 samples at one time. Shreveport's go0od because they have their own lab and can run their samples. As soon as the pressure is up enough they'll draw the samples. It takes about 24 hours to get the results.

"The issue is, if any of them are positive, then none of the system can come off water boil."

Then Whyte explains what could be in the water. "They look for...mainly bacteria," she says, "The biggest risk is gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea, vomiting, that kind of illness, because those those bacteria are the most common. There are all kinds of bacteria, minerals and things we look for, but the biggest risk for us is a GI illness."

And the doctor then comments on Mayor Adrian Perkins hope that the advisory could end Saturday. "I think we're getting close to where they can test. That means that if they can draw their samples later today, then we could possibly come off (Friday).