Two East Idaho cities have issued precautionary boil water advisories within a 24-hour span.

Montpelier and American Falls both lost water pressure due to separate mechanical issues — the latest strain on a region already buckling under record heat and historic drought conditions that have left surface water users facing severe shortfalls heading into the heart of irrigation season.

Montpelier issued its advisory Sunday night after a mechanical failure prevented water pumps from automatically turning on and caused storage tank levels to drop critically low. The failure triggered a citywide loss of pressure.

City crews identified and corrected the issue, and officials said the water system is now operating normally — but state regulations require a precautionary boil water advisory any time a public water system loses pressure. The advisory was issued in consultation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

Less than 24 hours later, American Falls issued its own advisory Monday morning after a loss of communication with the city’s water system caused a citywide loss of pressure. The system pressures also fell below the minimum safe operating level.

City crews were on site working to restore and stabilize the system, flush the distribution system and conduct water quality testing.

In both cases, residents are being asked to bring all tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing infant formula or giving it to pets. Bottled water is an acceptable alternative.

The back-to-back advisories come as Idaho is enduring what meteorologists have described as one of the most punishing stretches of heat in decades, with record temperatures shattering benchmarks across East Idaho in recent weeks.

The region is also in the grip of historic drought conditions that have left surface water users facing severe shortfalls heading into the heart of the irrigation season.

Both advisories will remain in effect until water samples collected throughout each city’s distribution system are analyzed, the water is confirmed safe and DEQ authorizes the advisories to be lifted.

Officials said they will provide updates through their respective Facebook pages and communication channels.

Montpelier residents with questions can contact city hall officials at 208-847-0824. American Falls residents can reach city hall officials by calling 208-226-2569.