On June 18th, the water was shut off around 9:00 am for approximately 2 hours. Once the water was turned back on, a mandatory boil water notice was declared until the samples clear the lab. Residents were notified once the boil water notice was rescinded. During the period of mandatory water boil, it is advised that ALL water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes should be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient.
Why boil water? Water should be boiled after a water main break because a drop in pipe pressure can allow contaminates, such as harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites to enter the drinking supply. Boiling kills these disease causing organisms to prevent gastrointestinal illnesses.
How many days is it needed to boil the water? A boil water advisory typically lasts for several days following a water main break. This duration is required for a water utility company to safely repair the pipe and then to complete mandatory bacteriological testing, which takes up to 18 to 24 hours to process in a lab.
